Singaporean James Kodrowski’s late goal shattered the title-retention hopes of the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey team at the 30th Southeast Asian Games, 4-3, Saturday at the SM Skating Mall of Asia.
The 40-year-old forward finished a good team play off passes from Bryan Lee and Richard O’Brien with a minute left in the clock.
The Philippines had one last chance at an equalizer with a power-play opportunity with 7.7 seconds left. Unfortunately, though, the six skaters on the rink could not find a quick one as the final buzzer sounded.
The 2017 champions had their noses in front after breaking the Singaporean defense twice in the opening period. Captain Steven Fuglister put the Filipinos on the board halfway into the first. Francois Gautier then made his first goal of the tournament five minutes later.
Two goals early in the following period saw the visitors in level terms with the Philippines, before a Christopher Wong goal at the 48th minute gave his squad the taste of the lead.
Needing to score with a minute left, EJ Sibug turned in the tying goal off an LR Lancero delivery.
A Singapore timeout afterward then led to that heart-breaking goal that stopped the reign of Nationals.
The Philippines will go for the bronze tomorrow when they face Malaysia on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. The Filipinos dominated the latter in their preliminary round encounter, 15-1.
