No one expects the Dragon to win a game, but they probably also don't expect them to get beaten so severely this year. While they are still losing every game, some of their games have been getting closer with a few promising outings. High1 though, was probably frustrated with their performance lately and wanted to make a bit of a statement. That statement was they could still run up the scoreboard if the opportunity presented itself.

Halla wanted a strong performance going into the break, and they didn't do too badly coming away with 4 of 6 points. This leaves Halla in fourth place with a healthy lead over the Icebucks.

Friday

Nippon Paper Cranes vs Anyang Halla 5-6

Halla decided to start returning netminder Ho-sung Son again. Perhaps sensing that Son might be unsure of himself after having just returned to starting form, the Cranes came out swinging.

In the first period the Cranes out-shot Halla 20-4. Despites this, the period ended 1-1 and only after the Cranes scored on a 5-3 in the dying seconds of the period, after being on the 5 on 3 for nearly a minute.

Halla turned things around in the second, out-shooting the Cranes 14-8. The Cranes were up 4-2 mid-way through the period before Halla came back to make it 4-4. Less than 30 seconds after Halla scored though, the Cranes went back up 5-4, on a goal from Nishiwaki.

In the third period, Halla tied up 8 minutes in. Sang-woo Sin scored on the powerplay. With barely a minute left, Yanadori took a penalty for the Cranes. 11 seconds in, #11 Derlago scored for Halla making it 6-5. After returning to even strength, the Cranes quickly pulled their goalie but were unable to tie the game.

Derlago had 2 goals and an assist, and Radunske had 4 assists for Halla. Nishiwaki and Tonosaki each had a goal and an assist while Obara had 2 assists for the Cranes.

It should be noted that during the live game, the scores and goal times were frequently changing on the Asia League website. Showing 14 minutes left in the game, the site was already showing goals which according to their time stamp, hadnt happened yet. later in the period when Halla scored, suddenly goal times changed as much as 20 minutes later than what they'd said. On the official sheet they differed again.

Saturday

Nippon Paper Cranes vs Anyang Halla 3-2 OT

Despite the great performance of Son in net on Friday night, Halla once again changed the netminder, putting Hyun-Seung Eum back in. Despite several powerplay chances, Halla couldn't repeat the goal out-put of the night before.
The shots were even through the first two periods, with the Cranes leading 2-1 on goals from Radja and Obara. Jackman scored for Halla. Early in the third Min-ho Cho tied the game up and sent it to over time. Over time was unable to solve things and off to a shoot-out they went. Obara and Iimura scored for the Cranes, while only Radunske was able to score for Halla, giving the Cranes a 3-2 victory. Radja had a goal and an assist for the Cranes.

China Dragon vs High1 2-10

Despite a high number of shots, China couldn't beat back-up netminder Sun-ki Kim. High1 started rolling early and just continued to rol through-out the game, scoring 3 goals in the first, 2 in the second and 5 in the third. China managed a couple goals in the third.
Barney managed another hat trick scoring 4 goals and picking up an assist. Swift had a goal and 4 assists, Hyeok Kim had 3 assists, Dong-hwan Song had a goal and 2 assists and Ishioka added a couple of assists.

Sunday

China Dragon vs High1  0-9

Sunday night was more of the same for High1 and China. High1 started Inoue, but put in Won Lee for the third period. Shots were even for the game. High1 scored 4 in the first, 1 in the second, and 4 in the third.

Swift had a hat trick this time around and added 4 assists, giving him a hand in 7 of the 9 goals. Song got himself 2 goals and 5 assists while Barney only got one goal and one assist. Hyeok Kim managed 5 assists in this game and Ahn had 2 goals.

The three victories gave High1 some much needed points,

 

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