China 1 – Korea 3 – 0 (0 – 0, 3 – 0, 0 – 0)

QIQIHAR, China – China’s senior team relied on a 3 goal outburst in the second period to claim its second straight win of the 2012 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia 3-0 over Korea.

The Chinese dominated puck possession throughout the game and would have had an even wider margin of victory if not for another excellent goaltending effort form Korean Sojung Shin. An early goal from Fujin Gao in the second frame was followed by power play goals from Rui Ma and Xin Fang as China was able to final solve Shin.

Chinese goaltender Yao Shi didn’t have a busy night, as Korea managed only as many shots (three) in the game as China had goals. At the other end, her counterpart Shin faced down 63 shots on goal, making 60 saves for the second game in a row.  

Korea’s Younghwa Lee and Rui Ma were named Best Players of the game. This weekend China will face off against Japan in what will be the toughest test for both teams so far in the tournament. Korea will play against the Chinese junior team next in the final preliminary round match on Saturday.

China 2 – Japan 0 – 12 (0 - 4, 0 - 6, 0 - 2)

QIQIHAR, China – The Japanese rolled through China’s junior team in their second game 12-0. The Japanese third line of Haruka Toko, Saki Shimozawa, and Fuka Ishiura contributed with a seven-point night, guiding Japan to its second win of the tournament.

Shimozawa scored four goals in the game to help her earn Best Player honours. She leads all skaters in the tournament with six points in two games.

For the second game in a row, China’s juniors were unable to get a goal. Tomorrow will be a day off for all of the teams, with the final matches of the preliminary round set for Saturday. China 2 will go up against winless Korea, while Japan will battle China for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Click here for scores and stats.

HARALD SPRINGFELD (Qiqihar)
ADAM STEISS (Zurich)