This Asian rivalry provided exciting moments with both Japan and Korea taking their turns on the driver’s seat in the game. Japan controlled the game in the beginning and outshot its opponent 12-6 in the first period with Korea having to use faulty play to keep up with the speed and being penalized for eight minutes. The score remained close with both teams having capitalized on their chances once in the first period and once early in the second until midway through the second period the game took a turn. Korea scored three goals within a 41-second span for a 5-2 lead. The Japanese reacted with a timeout and a goalie change at 30:32 that started paying off three minutes later. Akira Matsuura, Ryo Murakami and Yokuto Takami were instrumental in bringing the team back in the game by setting up three goals within less than five minutes to make it 5-5 just before the second intermission. In the third period, Korea couldn’t capitalize on a two-man advantage early in the period and the game seemed to be on its way to overtime until at 55:19 Junya Yamada scored the game-winning goal Japan, giving the Japanese home-ice advantage in the gold medal game against the same opponent, Korea.

Game Sheet
 

Photos: Luo Linna