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Kalinga Lancers Stay Unbeaten in HIL with Shootout Win Over Dragons

The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers extended their unbeaten streak in the Men's Hockey India League with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time after Blake Govers scored for the Dragons and Alexander Hendrickx equalized for the Lancers. Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak's stellar performance kept the Lancers in the game during regular play. Substitute keeper Jed Snowden then became the hero, dominating the shootout to secure a 4-1 win and the Lancers' sixth consecutive victory.

Key Points: Kalinga Lancers Beat Tamil Nadu Dragons in HIL Shootout

  • Lancers win 4-1 in penalty shootout
  • Alexander Hendrickx scores equalizer
  • Jed Snowden stars as shootout hero
  • Krishan Pathak makes crucial saves
  • Team maintains unbeaten league run
3 min read

HIL: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintain unbeaten run with 1-1 (4-1 SO) win against Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintain unbeaten Hockey India League run with a 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons after a 1-1 draw.

"Jed Snowden proved to be the difference in goal once again for the Lancers. - Match Report"

Bhubaneshwar, January 18

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintained their unbeaten run in the Men's Hockey India League, 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.

Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons began the game on the front foot, pushing forward with some neat interplay to put the table-toppers under early pressure. However, Alexander Hendrickx came closest to opening the scoring after his dragflick 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 Krishan 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 Blake Govers (19'). Vedanta Kalinga 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 halftime.

The third quarter began with the Dragons looking to extend their lead, only to be kept at bay by an in-form Krishan 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 Alexander Hendrickx (44') converting his dragflick 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 of a winner. While the Dragons registered a couple of penalty corners, the Lancers also had a 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, Jed 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 Vedanta Kalinga Lancers' unbeaten run in the tournament.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Great to see the HIL getting such competitive matches. Both teams played well, but Jed Snowden coming off the bench to dominate the shootout was the game-changer. Exciting for hockey fans!
P
Priya S
Heartbreak for the Dragons! They played so well for most of the match. Blake Govers' penalty stroke was class. But shootouts are a different beast altogether. Need to work on that composure.
V
Vikram M
As a fan from Bhubaneswar, the atmosphere at Kalinga Stadium must have been electric! Lancers are making Odisha proud. Hendrickx's dragflicks are a thing of beauty. On to the next one!
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while the win is great, the Lancers' reliance on penalty corners and shootouts is a bit worrying. What happens when the dragflicks don't go in? Need more open-play goals to be truly dominant.
K
Karthik V
The real story is Krishan Pathak. His saves in regulation time kept them in the game. That's the kind of goalkeeping that wins you championships. Future looks bright for Indian hockey with such talent on display.

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