Korea Domestic Championship Finals

15 Dec 2012 | Matthew Cross

High1 upset Halla, win second in a row

The 67th Korea Domestic Championships came to a close Friday afternoon. High1 extended their dominance over Halla in the Championship. Halla has traditionally finished above High1 in the Asia League, and they often have close seasons when faced off against each other, but they struggle against High1 in the yearly Korea Tournament. In the last two years, Halla is 12-4 against High1 with one win and one loss coming in overtime. Yet, they are 1-2 in the last three championships.

Halla chose to start Son in net for the championship after playing Eum in the last couple games. High1 predictably gave Inoue the start. Halla started the game well getting a goal from Sang-jin Park. Former Halla player Dong-hwan Song tied it up at at the 12 minute mark on the powerplay but Halla took the lead back a few minutes later on a shot from captain Kyoung-won Yoon. Though slightly out-shot 13-12 Halla was up 2-1 and looked comfortable.

In the second, Halla came up short. Despite out-shooting High1 15-14, High1 scored three goals, started by a short-handed goal from Hyeok Kim. Dong-hwan added his second of the game a minute and a half later, and near the end of the period Hyun-min Ahn scored putting High1 up 4-2.

In the third Swift got his only goal of the game making it 5-2. Halla opted to start the third with Eum in net. A few minutes later, Halla scored to make it 5-3 and and with 5 minutes left Gyeong-hun Gang scored to make it 5-4. Halla came on strong in the third out-shooting High1 17-11, but Barney scored with 90 seconds left making it 6-4. Halla opted to pull the goalie immediately after that goal but with 50 seconds left, Song scored on the empty net giving himself the hat trick and High1 a 7-4 victory over Halla.

This is the second year in a row that High1 has defeated Anyang Halla in the Korea Domestic Championship. Swift had a goal and 3 assists, Song added an assist for 4 points, and Hyeok Kim had a goal and 3 assists for High1. Jackman had a goal and 2 assists for Halla, with Gyoung-won getting a goal and an assist.