China National Men’s Hockey Team – Page 4

Dragons rookie goalie Paris O’Brian makes one of his 37 saves

Kunlun Red Star 2 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 1 (0-0, 2-1, 0-0)

The Dragons defeated Neftekhimik for the second time this season, helped by 37 saves from a rookie goalie. Ivan Zanatta brought in several new faces in a bid to rejuvenate a team with just one victory in its previous eight games.

Red Star handed a debut to goalie Paris O’Brien, a 21-year-old Chinese heritage player who has worked his way through the club’s system to reach the first team this season. He had an early introduction to life in the KHL, facing down a dangerous shot in the early exchanges, but adapted to the higher level well and played his part in ensuring a goalless first period.

The Dragons also deployed several of their young Chinese-born prospects, with 21-year-old Harbin native Jianing Guo getting a spot on the first line alongside his boyhood hero Brandon Yip. Wei Zhong and Xiang Xudong were further home-grown talents making their KHL debuts on the second and third lines respectively. Xudong marked the occasion with an assist as KRS opened the scoring, starting a move that finished with Ryan Sproul putting away a Spencer Foo feed.

Neftekhimik responded with a tying goal from Ronald Knot and another effort disallowed after a review confirmed that the puck did not cross the line. Late in the second period, though, Red Star regained the lead with a power play effort. Tyler Wong was credited with the goal after his shot pinballed off the skates of two defensemen to bamboozle Alexander Sudnitsin in the visitor’s net.

In the closing stages, Neftekhimik produced a flurry of chances around O’Brien’s net but could not save the game as Red Star held on for a win that moves them two points clear of Admiral at the foot of the Eastern Conference.

Source: KHL, Kunlun Red Star Dragons

Nov 26 (Reuters) – The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will decide next month on China’s participation in the men’s event at the Beijing Winter Olympics after a review of player eligibility documents, having previously expressed concerns about the team’s quality.

As the host nation, China is guaranteed a spot in every event at the 2022 Games but the IIHF said in September that the men’s team could be prevented from playing due to its “insufficient sporting standard”.

IIHF president Luc Tardif had said China’s participation would hinge on player eligibility rules and the performance of the Kunlun Red Star, a China-based team stocked with Olympic hopefuls competing in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

A final decision was set for Nov. 25 — the deadline for the Chinese Ice Hockey Association to submit requested eligibility documents — with Norway waiting in the wings to step in as a replacement.

“The council was also presented with the most up-to-date eligibility documents from the Chinese Ice Hockey Association concerning the players that were included in its long list.

“These documents, together with the expert evaluation report, will be reviewed over the coming weeks before the council reconvenes to determine further actions. The status of the Chinese men’s national team is unchanged.”

The council’s next meeting is on Dec. 6. The Beijing Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 4-20.

Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Shrivathsa Sridhar