Hockey India League: Table-toppers Kalinga Lancers remain unbeaten with shootout bonus against Tamil Nadu Dragons

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Hockey india League Lancers vs dragons Alexander Hendrickx was on target against as Kalinga Lancers stay unbeaten this season. Credit: HIL

Kalinga Lancers maintained their unbeaten run in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL), registering a 4-1 penalty shootout win against Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons after the two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday. Blake Govers opened the scoring to put the Dragons in front before Alexander Hendrickx equalised for the Lancers. Krishan Pathak was exceptional in goal for table-toppers in regulation time, while Jed Snowden came off the bench to dominate in the shootout, helping his side record their sixth successive win of the season.

In the earlier match, Bengal Tigers overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory against the SG Pipers in their final pool stage clash Dilraj Singh (4’) and Tomas Domene (31’) put the Pipers ahead, but the Tigers roared back with goals from Jugraj Singh (45’), Abhishek (45’) and Affan Yousuf (48’). The triumph keeps the Tigers in the fray with a narrow hope of a top-four finish and a potential bid for the title.

Lancers stay top

Dragons began the game on the front foot, pushing forward with some neat interplay to put the table-toppers under early pressure. However, Hendrickx came closest to opening the scoring after his drag flick from the first penalty corner of the game was cleared off the line in the 9th minute. The Dragons also delivered enough threat on the other end, forcing Pathak into action on a couple of occasions in the first quarter.

The Dragons managed to break the deadlock in the second quarter, earning a penalty stroke that was expertly converted by Govers (19’). Lancers thought they bagged an immediate response with Dilpreet Singh finding the back of the net from close range. However, his goal was ruled out after a referral. The Dragons remained disciplined at the back for the remainder of the quarter, holding onto their one-goal advantage at half time.

The third quarter began with the Dragons looking to extend their lead, only to be kept at bay by an in-form Pathak. The Lancers keeper was colossal in goal, keeping his team in the game. His saves proved to be crucial as his side eventually managed to get back on level terms with Hendrickx (44’) converting his drag flick from their fourth penalty corner, coming at the close of the quarter.

With all to play for in the final fifteen minutes, both teams remained relentless in their pursuit for a winner. While the Dragons registered a couple of penalty corners, the Lancers also had the set-piece opportunity. Neither side could make it count though, forcing a shootout to decide the winner.

After his shootout heroics against HIL GC earlier in the tournament, Snowden proved to be the difference in goal once again for the Lancers. As the Dragons missed their first two attempts to hand their opponents the advantage, Arthur van Doren put the game to bed to secure a 4-1 shootout win, maintaining the Lancers’ unbeaten run in the tournament.

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