HL Anyang defeated Nikko IceBucks to advance to the Asia League Ice Hockey final for the fifth consecutive season after three straight games went to overtime.
HL Anyang, led by head coach Baek Ji-sun, won 3-2 in overtime against Nikko IceBucks in Game 3 of the 2025-2026 Asia League Ice Hockey semifinal playoff series (best-of-three) at HL Anyang Ice Rink on the 22nd. Goals from Bae Sang-ho and Shin Sang-hun, along with stellar goaltending from Lee Yeon-seung, secured the victory and a spot in the final.
HL Anyang, which holds the record for the most Asia League Ice Hockey championships with nine titles, will face Red Eagles Hokkaido in the playoff final (best-of-five) starting on the 28th as they pursue their tenth championship.
After winning Game 1 against IceBucks 3-2 following a grueling 4-hour-40-minute battle, HL Anyang fell 2-3 in overtime in Game 2. In Game 3 on the 22nd, the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, and HL Anyang won 3-2 on Shin Sang-hun's golden goal.
HL Anyang allowed the opening goal while shorthanded at 1:42 of the second period. They equalized at 10:57 of the second period when Bae Sang-ho converted a rebound from Lee Ju-hyung's shot in front of the net.
In the third period at 3:13, Shin Sang-hun finished with a snapshot after Takeya Rioto lifted the puck from behind the opponent's goal line, giving HL Anyang a 2-1 lead. However, Furuhashi Makuru scored the equalizer, and at 16:03 of the third period, Shin Sang-hun's crucial shot hit the goalpost, sending the game to overtime.
HL Anyang survived a shorthanded situation at 8:26 of overtime without conceding, then immediately earned a power play opportunity. Shin Sang-hun's goal ended the game.
At 13:48 of overtime, Kim Geon-woo delivered the puck from the neutral zone to Ahn Jin-hwi, who drove down the right side of the offensive zone and sent a centering pass. Shin Sang-hun finished with a one-timer in front of the net, sealing the overtime victory.
Red Eagles Hokkaido also advanced to the final after defeating Tohoku Free Blades 5-2 in their semifinal Game 3 on the 22nd. Game 1 of the 2025-2026 Asia League Ice Hockey Final between HL Anyang and Red Eagles Hokkaido will be held at 4 p.m. on the 28th at HL Anyang Ice Rink.