Pandoo Nation Snatch International Elite Hockey Title in Tight Final

Pandoo Nation Snatch International Elite Hockey Title in Tight Final
Pandoo Nation (in cream) winners of the International Elite division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5’s together with Totachi CCCP their rivals in the final on Saturday May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
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HONG KONG—The Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5’s concluded last Saturday May 6 with a tremendous International Elite final between defending champions, Singapore Pandoo Nation and Totachi CCCP - a newcomer team comprising all Russian professionals.

This was a spectacular display of fast attacking and solid defense with goal tenders showing lightening reactions, and these were needed with players of the caliber of NHL, player Brandon Mashinter on the ice for Pandoo Nation. After a year with Chicago Blackhawks (2015-2016) Mashinter returned to Rockford IceHogs in the AHL last year.

Brandon Mashinter on the ice for Pandoo Nation in the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's in the final against Totachi CCCP on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Brandon Mashinter on the ice for Pandoo Nation in the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's in the final against Totachi CCCP on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
Totachi CCCP on the attack in the final of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's, on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Totachi CCCP on the attack in the final of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's, on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
Face-off between Totachi CCCP (Red) and Pandoo Nation in the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Face-off between Totachi CCCP (Red) and Pandoo Nation in the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
Pandoo Nation's Goodwin putting his heart into the final of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's against Totachi CCCP, on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Pandoo Nation's Goodwin putting his heart into the final of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's against Totachi CCCP, on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

Totachi CCCP were the talk of the tournament, surprising everybody wining all of their Pool matches on the way to direct entry to the final. Most of the Totachi team play in the Kazakhstan league and come to Asia to enter tournaments, through their Singapore organizer Mikhail Baiman. HK Tigers beat them in the final of the Bangkok 5’s earlier this year. But they were a notch above Tigers in this tournament.

Totachi CCCP team that performed so well in the International Elite division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Totachi CCCP team that performed so well in the International Elite division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

One would have thought Pandoo Nation were at a disadvantage having to take on Hong Kong Tigers in the semi-final earlier on final’s day, but in the cup match Pandoo came out all guns blazing, surprising the capacity crowd. There was absolutely nothing between the teams, tremendous attacks at both ends with rapid fire events in the goal areas, the goal tenders stopped shots from all directions leaving the score still lying at 1-1 in the final session. Just one error by Totachi, left a space for Pandoo Nation’s Steven Johnston to slot the puck home to seal the match.

Steven Johnston of Pandoo Nation slots the puck home to seal the final 2-1 against Totachi CCCP on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Steven Johnston of Pandoo Nation slots the puck home to seal the final 2-1 against Totachi CCCP on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
Pandoo Nation winners of the International Elite division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's, on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Pandoo Nation winners of the International Elite division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's, on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times
Steven Johnston of Pandoo Nation celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Totachi CCCP in the final of the International Elite Division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
Steven Johnston of Pandoo Nation celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Totachi CCCP in the final of the International Elite Division of the Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

 

Asian Elite Division final.

HK Hitmen lift the Asian Division Cup at Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
HK Hitmen lift the Asian Division Cup at Mega Ice 2017 Hockey 5's on May 6, 2017. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

In the Asian Elite division HK Hitmen pulled off a 6-2 win against the Comba team, while in the well supported International A, Cathay flyers edged Nordic Vikings 3-2.