IHL Season 2: Exciting Victories for Kang Sing, Changtan Shans & Sham Wolves on Day 2

Leh, January 5 (NationPress) The Ice Hockey League (IHL) Season 2, organized in collaboration with the UT Administration of Ladakh and the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh, officially commenced at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, with Vikram Singh Malik, Secretary of Sports, UT Administration of Ladakh, serving as the chief guest who dropped the puck for the defending champions Kang Sing to face off against the Shakar Chiktan Royals in the highlight match.

The opening match featuring Changtang Shans and Purig Warriors kicked off with a thrilling start, as Konchok Namgyal of the Shans scored just 42 seconds into the game, giving his team an early lead. Both teams displayed relentless energy, resulting in a closely contested first period. Sarfaraz Hussain equalized for the Warriors with a stunning drag shot, concluding the first period with a 1-1 scoreline.

In the second period, Changtan Shans struck again, with Tsewang Dorjey scoring just two minutes in. However, the Warriors quickly retaliated with an excellent assist from Sajjad Hussain to Nadeem Sarwar, leveling the score once more.

In the dying moments, a well-coordinated play led to Stanzing Thinles scoring the third goal for the Shans, thanks to a brilliant assist from Tsewang Dorjey, ending the second period with a 3-2 advantage for Changtan Shans.

The final period saw both teams fiercely defending their positions, with neither able to score. The tension escalated when the referee awarded three penalties - two to Changtan Shans and one to Purig Warriors - due to aggressive play. Despite all efforts from the Warriors to equalize, Changtan Shans held on to their narrow lead, finishing the match at 3-2.

The much-anticipated game 2 of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League generated excitement as the defending champions Kang Sing faced off against Shakar Chiktan right after the opening ceremony. Kang Sing quickly established dominance, with Stanzing Phuntsog scoring a brilliant goal in the 5th minute, followed by Stanzing Angchok with a skillful shot. Despite Shakar Chiktan's efforts to respond, unforced errors curtailed their progress, ending the first period with Kang Sing leading 2-0.

The second period showcased a dominant performance from Kang Sing, who added three more goals in a clinical display. Stanzing Angchok scored again, followed by Deldan Namgyal - also known as Mr. Bean - and another from Stanzing Phuntsog, ending the period at 5-0, with Kang Sing looking unbeatable.

The final period highlighted Kang Sing's defensive strength, as goalie Tsewang Namgyal displayed remarkable skill, maintaining a clean sheet. Despite numerous attempts from Shakar Chiktan, they couldn’t breach his defense. Mushtaq Ahmad scored the only goal of the period with a stunning slap shot, sealing a decisive 6-0 win for Kang Sing.

Following their opening-day success, Sham Wolves continued their winning streak with a second consecutive victory against Zangskar Chader Tamers. The Wolves took charge early, with captain Stanzin Chospel scoring in the 7th minute, followed by Tsewang Nurbu extending the lead shortly after and Nawang Gyatso adding another, concluding the first period at 3-0.

The second period was low-scoring as both teams struggled against solid defenses and exceptional goalkeeping. Numerous promising opportunities were squandered, leaving the score unchanged at 3-0.

In the final period, Nawang Gyatso scored again in the opening minute, completing his double with a precise wrist shot. From that point, Sham Wolves dominated the game, while Zangskar Chader Tamers found it difficult to mount a challenge. The match concluded with a convincing 4-0 victory for Sham Wolves.

During the ceremony, Royal Enfield presented state-of-the-art skate sharpening machines for community use, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the sport with world-class equipment. These machines will bridge a crucial gap, allowing players from remote areas to maintain their skates for optimal performance.

The ceremony also revealed the league’s jerseys and trophies. The trophy, creatively designed by local talent Nawang Gyalston after an open call for local artists, beautifully blends ice hockey with the snow leopard, reflecting Ladakh’s cultural ties with the sport. All teams showcased their new jerseys made from recycled PET (plastic) bottles.