BHUBANESWAR 22-Feb-2015 210
Ranchi Rays emerged the champions in the third edition of the Hero Hockey India League, beating Jaypee Punjab Warriors 5-4, via penalty shoot-out at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi today.
Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Lancers finished fifth, starting and ending their campaign on winning note. Led by new captain Vickram Kanth, Lancers won three matches, lost six and drew one to garner a total of 21 points. They scored 17 goals and conceded 26 in their 10 matches.
Lancers got off to a flying start, hammering Ranchi Rays 6-3 in the league opener here on January 22. But they came a cropper thereafter, suffering six defeats in a row. However, win over Dabang Mumbai and Delhi Waveriders in the last two matches helped them finish just above bottom-placed Dabang Mumbai.
Drag-flick specialist Gurjinder Singh was their top scorer with five goals to his name. He, however, was suspended for two matches for physically assaulting a player of Jaypee Punjab Warriors in their return match here at Kalinga Stadium Hockey Complex on February 1.
