Goalkeeper Jānis Auziņš and striker Sandis Zolmanis on Sunday with the Hokkaido “Cranes” team led by Aldis Girgensons became the Japanese hockey champions.
First, on Saturday in the semi-finals of the tournament, the Latvian team beat Niko “Ice Bucks” with 2: 1 overtime, scoring the goal for Zolmanis. In the final, “Cranes” beat Tohoku “Free Blades” 3: 1 on Sunday.
Higashi Hokkaido Cranes@Cranes1949 Congratulations on winning the All Japan Ice Hockey Championship. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/Gc7OUmHRHH
— Latvia in Japan (@Latvia_Japan) December 14, 2020
Auziņš was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the tournament and together with Zolmanis both were included in the symbolic selection of the tournament. The team was also represented this season by Edmunds Augstkalns.
In the Japanese Cup, which is a much larger tournament than the championship, the Cranes are second after 14 games, with leader Tomakoma losing three points to the Oji Eagles.
The Cranes played in the Asian League last season without reaching the playoffs. The 2020/2021 Asian League tournament is scheduled for spring.
