Chinese Taipei clinches trophy

TAIPEI CITY – Chinese Taipei won the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia on home ice at the Annex Ice Rink in Taipei City, after defeating the United Arab Emirates 5-4 in the deciding game. 

It is the third consecutive gold medal for Chinese Taipei in the Challenge Cup, a competition that is played between the Asian nations not competing in the World Championship program or at the bottom level. The final game played out similarly to last year’s, when the United Arab Emirates hosted the tournament in Abu Dhabi but had to settle for silver. 

Both teams started strong in the event. Chinese Taipei steamrolled over Macau and Thailand, 30-0 and 9-0 respectively, and beat Mongolia 8-2 before the final game. 

The United Arab Emirates also entered the last day with the maximum number of points after wins against Thailand (5-2), Mongolia (6-1) and Macau (7-0). 

In front of 808 fans at the packed rink Chinese Taipei reacted better in a hectic start of the game marked by penalties on both sides. Yen-Lin Shen opened the scoring on a two-man advantage and two minutes later Yen-Chin Shen made it 2-0. 

But the Emirati regrouped for the second period and scored three unanswered goals in the first six minutes. Saeed Al Nuaimi brought his team on the scoreboard at 2:38, Juma Al Dhaheri capitalized on a five-on-three at 5:14 and 12 seconds later Ebraheem Bu Debs scored the power-play marker to give the United Arab Emirates the lead for the first time.