2013-03-07 06:03:22 -
Following the intense CIHL semi-final playoffs, the 2012-2013 regular season champions, the South China Sharks, will face off against the defending CIHL champions, the AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors, on Saturday, March 16 as the teams battle it out for the chance to hoist the RBC Asia Cup.
Hong Kong - Both the Sharks and the Warriors eliminated their semi-final competition in two straight games. The first seed Sharks went up against the Macau Aces in a semi-final series that was much closer than the Aces’ regular season record might have first indicated. The Sharks won Game 1 7-4, but Game 2 was a much closer affair. The Aces came out blazing, scoring four goals in the first period alone, but couldn’t close out the win as the Sharks came from behind to win 5-4.
The Warriors had an easier time against the Quam Hong Kong Tycooons, winning Game 1 5-1, before taking a dominant 7-1 victory to close out the series in Game 2.
The Warriors and
the Sharks faced each other in the inaugural CIHL Finals last year, with the Warriors winning the best-of-three series in two straight games over the Sharks. This season, the playoff format has changed to a best-of-three semi-finals series and a single game, winner-take-all final.
The final game of the 2012-2013 season will take place at Mega Ice in Kowloon Bay at 8 p.m., with limited tickets still available by contacting info@cihl.com or through online purchase at http://www.cihl.com/tickets.php.
Commented CIHL co-founder and director Greg Smyth: “This season’s new playoff format has allowed us to build a lot of excitement heading into the CIHL Final and the battle for the RBC Asia Cup and we’re looking forward to seeing the rivalry between the AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors and the South China Sharks come out in full force on March 16.”
The Sharks will enter the game with a slight edge, having won three out of five regular season contests. but in their last two meetings, it was the Warriors who came out the victors, including 10-2 win in January. However the Warriors, who were beaten to the regular season title this year, aren’t taking anything for granted.
“The Sharks are tough competition and we know they’re going to come out fighting,” Warriors general manager Art Tam said. “We are feeling pretty confident with the way our team is playing at the moment and having won our last two games against the Sharks, we know we can beat them. But with the CIHL Final being just a single game this year, there’s no time for anyone to have a night off.”
For their part, the Sharks are using the bitter taste of last year’s defeat to give them extra motivation heading into the final game of the season.
“Avenging our loss last season has definitely been a motivating factor this season and of course, winning the 2012-2013 RBC Asia Cup against the Warriors would definitely make the victory sweeter!” Sharks captain Jamie Stark said. “I think this season we have added some key players and we aren’t as affected by injuries as we were last year. Winning the regular season title was step one, but now we have to make sure we put it all together to become this season’s CIHL champions.”
Stay up to date with all the news and information from the CIHL through the league’s website at www.cihl.com and the free iPhone app, available at the iTunes store, which allows fans to access on-demand video clips, game highlights, photographs, statistics, schedules and player information.
About the CIHL
The CIHL was founded in 2010 to provide new opportunities for high-level, contact hockey in Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China, as well as to champion sportsmanship and develop future generations of Chinese hockey. This year, the league will feature four teams: the Hong Kong Tycoons, Kowloon Warriors, Macau Aces and South China Sharks
On Saturday nights from October, 6 2012 through March 16, 2013, the teams will face off at Mega Ice for two back-to-back games. Family entertainment, community events and on-ice kids’ competitions are aimed at making Saturdays a true “Hockey Night in Hong Kong”. The official website of the CIHL is www.cihl.com and a free iPhone app is available through the iTunes store.
About Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and are among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and investor services on a global basis. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. For more information, please visit www.rbc.com.
For more information, please contact:
Gregory Smyth, CIHL, greg@cihl.com
