Hockey Weekend in Korea

This weekend marked the second doubleheaders of the new season. As part of the new 42 game schedule, the League has schedule several sets of doubleheaders through-out the season. The first took place September 29-30 in Yokohama, Japan which saw High1, Anyang Halla, Cranes and Free Blades all pair off. This weekend the Bucks joined the Cranes in Goyang, High1's home rink.

The League's mandate is to grow and promote hockey in Asia, but one has to wonder if by Asia they mean Japan only. A short comparison of the League's English and Japanese home pages will show a significant difference in coverage the League provides. The League doesn't provide a page in Korean or Chinese so it must be assumed that the English page is intended for consumption by fans, players and staff in those countries. Teams all provide an English speaking interpreter so it would seem that English is intended as the language for the League, but it's woefully under-represented and under-served by the League. Why is this important? Because it shows a general pattern of behavior on the part of the League.

This weekend in Korea, two Japanese teams came to town and fans were treated to a free set of four games in one rink. Even though High1 normally does not charge an entrance fee for their home games, the Anyang Halla home games were also free. What a perfect opportunity for the League to build its brand and promote the game in Korea. How did they go about that? They didn’t. There was absolutely no branding beyond the standard High1 entrance set-up with their supporter’s zone and photo zone as well as a table selling some Halla merchandise during their games.

With four teams in one location, there were some great opportunities to put on some special events for fans. The weather was decent as was the location. Large open spaces by the rink entrance would have made a great area for some kids and player ball hockey. The well-lit and spacious lobby could have been used for players pre and post game to interact with fans. Sign autographs, pose for photos, things of that nature. The on-going schedule of the weekend would have been a great chance to have some contests. All of the teams involved have numerous sponsors; surely someone could have rustled up some things to give away. Even the Japanese teams could have provided prizes. Kleenex is a major sponsor of the Cranes and widely available in Korea, as well the Bucks are sponsored by ABC-Mart which has tons of locations around Korea. Beyond that, the teams might have been able to give away a signed game jersey, some sticks, heck, even a bag of chips would shown some interest on the part of the League in their mandate.

There was also a distinct lack of cameras at this event. The Korean media couldn’t be bothered to broadcast the games, and there was no online broadcast of these games despite Anyang Halla having the equipment available to do so. Had a fan started running the Ustream.tv app on their smartphone they would have trumped everyone. If the League truly wants to grow and promote hockey in Asia they need to actually get out there and do something about it.

The Eagles and Blades also played in Japan, putting all teams in action except China. A lot of the foreign players were sporting their "Movember" staches.

Saturday

Anyang Halla vs Nikko Ice Bucks. 3-4 GWS

Halla had just managed to get a win last Thursday in a shoot-out against the Cranes as a warm-up for this weekend. It was at the end of this game that Halla found themselves in the same situation again. The game was delayed for about 25 minutes as arena staff repaired some glass behind the visitors net. The glass came loose again after a hit in overtime which sent a Halla player head first into the exposed stanchion. The loose glass also struck a staff member behind the glass, but both appeared fine after.

The Bucks got things started quickly in the first with goals just 23 seconds apart from Suzuki and Tonosaki. However, in the second period a short parade to the penalty box resulted in three powerplay goals from Halla; two from Jackman and one from Min-ho Cho. The third penalty saw Coach Pederson of the Bucks wave a white towel in frustration as he saw the team’s lead evaporate. In the third Takahashi tied it up and sent the game to overtime. Fukufuji made a number of difficult saves to keep the game tied. Halla poured it on in overtime, getting 7 shots, but couldn’t beat Fukufuji. The game went to a shoot-out, and after six rounds, Suzuki ended it, giving the Bucks the victory.

High1 vs Cranes 2-3 OT

The Cranes got an early 2-0 lead from goals by Radja and Sakagami. High1 kept at it though and clawed back to a tie early in the third period off goals from Hyeok Kim and Swift. A couple of shots by each team were insufficient to end overtime so they went to a shoot-out where Radja scored in the third round to give the Cranes the victory.

Free Blades vs Eagles 4-6

The Free Blades took the lead just 2 minutes in, but couldn’t maintain it. The Eagles took a 3-1 lead on goals from Kon, Harrington and Cavosie. The Blades tied it up on goals from Mizuuchi and Tanaka mid-way through the third. The Eagles came roaring back and scored three goals in three minutes from Takahashi, Domeki, and Kuji. Tanaka scored again, but it was too late for them to pull even. Cavosie had a goal and 2 assists in the game.

Sunday

Anyang Halla vs Cranes 3-5

Every time Halla came calling, the Cranes answere and then some. Halla opened the scoring, but the Cranes quickly responded twice taking a 2-1 lead. Their second goal was a bit of an odd one as it bounced off the back of the boards and off the goalie and in. Halla scored again to tie it, but the Cranes came right back and at the end of the third it was 3-2 in their favor. Halla tied it up in the second which stood for a long time until mid-way through the period when the Cranes scored on a soft shot from the blue line that went over the netminder’s glove. Halla pulled the goalie to try and tie it up, but Eizenman got free and scored on the empty net giving him his second of the game. Halla was 1 for 7 on the powerplay.

High1 vs Nikko Ice Bucks 5-2

High1 gave the Korean teams their only victory of the weekend. Barney decided to put on a show starting just 30 seconds into the game. In the second Dong-hwang scored before Barney got back to work and scored two more giving him a hat trick and High1 a 4-0 lead going into the third. Finally with a minute left, Ueno scored goals 30 seconds apart to make the game 4-2, but with only 30 seconds to go, pulling the goalie seemed like it would have little chance of working. They did it anyway, and Yu-won buried one in the empty net to make it 5-2. Barney had 3 goals and an assist.

Free Blades vs Eagles 1-2

The Eagles show little sign of slowing down. Last season the Eagles finished on top with 21 regulation wins and 75 points in 36 games. 17 games in, they have 16 victories, and a 20 point lead on the next closest team, whom they have a game in hand on. At their current pace they’re looking to break every record the League has for victories and points. So it’s no surprise they beat the Free Blades again. Hasiba and Kuji scored for the Eagles while Farynuk got a late third period goal to bring them close. Despite pulling the goalie they were unable to tie the game up. The Blades were also outshot 41-30 which is simply not a good idea against the Eagles.

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