LEH: The semi-final stage of the Ice Hockey League Season 3 at the Nawang Dorjey Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh saw captains step up under pressure as the finalists were confirmed, according to a release.
The semi-finals saw Senzes Dolma lead Sham Eagles with a hat-trick. Nissa Khatoon fire Shakar Chiktan Queens into the women’s final with the decisive goal. Moheb Ur Rehman Mir inspire Humas Warriors’ comeback in the men’s semi-final, and Sarfaraz Hussain power Purig Warriors with a hat-trick to set up the title clash with Humas Warriors.
Sham Eagles opened the day by avenging last season’s heartbreak with a 5-2 win over Season 2 runners-up Changla Lamos in the first women’s semi-final. Captain Semzes Dolma led from the front, striking twice within the opening 30 seconds to set the tempo.
Thinles Angmo reduced the deficit with a drag shot before a goalless second period kept the contest alive. Changla drew level early in the third period through Padma Yangzes, but Sham responded with authority. Semzes completed her hat-trick with a drag flick, and Padma Desal added two drag-shot finishes to seal a commanding comeback victory and confirm their place in the final.
The second women’s semi-final proved a tighter affair as Shakar Chiktan Queens edged past Kharu Eagles 1-0. After a scoreless opening period marked by disciplined defending on both ends, Captain Nissa Khatoon broke the deadlock midway through the second period with a crisp wrist shot.
The Queens then held firm through sustained pressure from Kharu to protect their slender advantage and advance to the final.
In the first men’s semi-final, Humas Warriors from Drass overturned their Season 2 semi-final defeat to Changthang Shans with a composed 3-1 win. Chamba Tsetan had given the Shans an early lead with a sharp drag flick, but Humas captain Moheb Ur Rehman Mir responded swiftly with a backhanded tap-in to restore parity.
Zahid Ali put Humas ahead in the second period with a wrist flick, and Ghulam Nabi Tak added the decisive third in the final period to confirm Humas as the first men’s finalists.