Korean Ice Hockey

This past Saturday I was able to check out my first live sporting even in Korea... and oddly enough it was ice hockey. Yes I said ice hockey and not just hockey, I have become accustomed to saying "ice" because I get yelled at by the Brits and Kiwi's if I don't.


The game was in Anyang (a different city) and took me a two subways, two buses and a cab ride to get there (although for most it was only the two buses and a cab, just happens that I live in the boonies). It was only me and 6 guys as all of the girls opted not to come out. As I was informed "Jana, I can think of 1,000 things that I would rather do than go to a hockey game in Korea". Fair enough. But they missed out. 

The level of hockey was poor, the WHL is much better than these guys... but it was an exciting games. This was the first round of the playoffs (there are 6 teams I believe and it's an Asian League) and it was both the Korean teams playing one another. The home team (Halla - the ones in blue) won the league but were already down one game in the series. I believe that the final to this round is being played next Saturday and I was all set to come back until I realized that is the same day as the St. Patty's day event in Seoul.. so my choice is either hockey or drinking and finding Irish men... it was a tough call but the Irish won.




Halla was definitely the better of the two teams and deserved to win, although High 1 did give them a run in the second. the score ended up being 4-1, which included an empty netter at the end. 

The game was exciting, the crowd was more energetic than it ever had been apparently. The seating was limited as the rink was very small, but there were people sitting on the stairs and standing behind the seating. Of course there was a lot of foreigners there but also a lot of Koreans. It was being televised and of course we naturally ended up on the "big screen" twice. One time just waving and the next doing the dance to a Korean song... this of course was after 6 beers. 

The obnoxious beer tower that eventually got knocked over after the game finished.  

Yes this was a 5 on 3 for Halla.. and no goal. Worst PP ever.. even worse than the Leafs

Some of the gang enjoying the game

Jeff has some good photos on his camera so I'll put them up as soon as I get them...