Oji and Halla continue winning streaks

The Cranes were hoping to be the first team to take down Oji and Halla looked to at least try and gain a little ground on them while the Blades tried to build on last weekend's victories over the Cranes.
When a team has two goalies leading the league in all categories with nearly identical save percentages, it must be tough deciding who gets to start. A lot of coaches wish they had to make those kinds of difficult choices. Tonight, Oji chose to start with Masahito Haruna in net. Haruna had only given up 6 goals in four games prior to the game.

The game did not feature a lot of shots, but in the first period Sho Sato for the Eagles got them on the board 16 minutes in. The Cranes managed only 7 shots, and took three penalties in the first.

In the second the Eagles scored very quickly with Cavosie converting a power play only 34 seconds into the period. Two and a half minutes later Cavosie scored on another power play putting the Eagles up 3-0. Despite a couple power play chances of their own, the Cranes couldn't find the back of the net.

The third finally saw the Cranes get on the board. After taking three penalties in the game, Yule tried to make it up to his team by scoring the first goal. The game stayed 3-1 for most of the period until Shuhei Kuji scored at the 55 minute mark for the Eagles. Immediately after the goal, the Cranes got a power play but again failed to put the puck in the net. After Ryo Hashimoto took an interference penalty for the Eagles, the Cranes gave up a short-handed goal to Kuji. with 80 seconds left Yoshinori Imura scored for the Cranes making it 5-2.

Kuji had 2 goals and 2 assists, while Cavosie had 2 goals and an assist for the Eagles. Shinya Yanadori had a couple of assists for the Cranes. The Eagles outshot the Cranes 24 to 23. The Cranes went just 1 for 7 on the power play, while the Eagles went 3 for 7 and got a short-handed goal. The teams will meet again tomorrow night.

Anyang Halla vs Tohoku Free Blades

Despite recent struggles, Halla decided to start Hyun-Seung Eum in net against the Free Blades. It also marked the first game of recent Halla addition Woo-young Kim to the line-up.

Bum-jin Kim scored a power play goal late in the first period on their fourth power play of the period. Kashino took only 20 seconds to tie it back up for the Free Blades, however.

Dong-hwan Kim scored only 50 seconds into the 2nd period and a few minutes later Mark Derlago scored for Halla putting them up 3-1 with Shinohara in the box for a hold and 10 minute unsportsmanlike Farynuk in the box for a crosscheck. Mid-way through the second Farynuk scored bringing the Blades within 1, but Byung-chun Jung scored late in the period to put Halla back up 4-2.

In the third Sang-woo Shin scored for Halla widening the gap, but Kashino quickly scored his second of the game to keep the game close. Farynuk Score his second of the game at the 55 minute mark to bring the Free Blades within 1. With the Free Blades considering pulling the goalie, Won-jung Kim scored for Halla putting them up 6-4. With 80 seconds left, the Blades decided to pull Hata from the net, but Min-ho Cho quickly scored on the empty net giving Halla a 7-4 victory.

The Free Blades outshot Halla 40 to 38. Radunske had 3 assists for Halla. Farynuk and Kashino each had 2 goals for the Free Blades. Woo-young Kim got an assist in his first game. The teams will meet again tomorrow night.

 

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