Expedia & Suhkumvit earn opening-night SHL victories

Photography by Tadamasa Nagayama

THE Sport Corner Siam Hockey League (SHL) launched its second season on November 12, and we are in for a real treat this year as all four teams came flying out of the gate. The opening contest saw the defending champions, Expedia (formerly Sport Corner Titanium) defeat Hertz (formerly Hooters Nana) 7-4 in a rematch of last year’s final, while the Sukhumvit Spitfires defeated Aware 5-2 in the second match. 

The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanarangkul graciously attended the game and dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off between Expedia’s Juhani Ijas and Hertz’s Jantaphong “Moo” Tengsakul.  

The first match, the coach of the Thai national team led the way with three goals and an assist, capturing the Rolling Stone Pizza MVP for his four-point performance. Super-sub Ichiro Hara added a goal and two assists and drew a penalty on Hertz’ Sebastien Ranger late in the game. Jordan Ashton, Rob Taylor and Anun “Kak” Kullugin added singles for Expedia. Jantaphong “Moo” Tengsakul replied for Hertz scoring twice with Bill Bredesen and rookie Mike Triacca adding single tallies. Stephen Sproule and Ralf Dittmer each had two assists each for Hertz in a losing cause. Dittmer also had the “SHL save of the night” when he made a diving save to prevent a goal, after keeper Lance Parker was caught straying from the net.  Hertz’ Lance Parker made 16 saves on the 23 shots he faced while Expedia’s keeper Yves Gaboriault stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced on the night.

Thai National team captain Tewin “Tor” Chartsuwan, subbing for Michael White, made an impact in game two. Usually noted for his offensive prowess, Tor made many stellar defensive plays, assisted on two goals and in the dying minutes clinched the win for Sukhumvit with a rink-long empty-net goal.  Harrison Oztemel with a pair, Ernesto Bauer and Richie Jarvinen also scored for Sukhumvit with Patrik Lundback and Yean Thanakroekkiat each scoring for AWARE, who took an early lead in the game on Lundback’s goal before Sukhumvit stormed back with three unanswered tallies, eventually winning 5-2.        
All SHL games are played at Rink, 7th floor, Central Grand Rama 9; admission is free. 
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Catch all the highlights of the SHL Big Chilli podcast: 
youtu.be/31M3ers2rLA, www.siamhockeyleague.com, www.facebook.com/SHLhockeyThailand