Captain Urgain Samstan and Chamba Tsetan stole the spotlight on Day 10 of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3, striking hat-tricks to power Changthang Shans to an emphatic 11–3 victory at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh.
Organised in partnership with the UT Administration of Ladakh and the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh, the league also witnessed the season’s first draw in the women’s category, while Purig Warriors and Shakar Chiktan Royals secured crucial wins to strengthen their positions in the standings.
Shans Run Riot in All-Changthang Clash
The day opened with an explosive all-Changthang encounter between Changthang Shans and Changla Blasters. The Blasters stunned their opponents early when Stanzin Nurboo found the net within the opening 12 seconds. However, Urgain responded almost instantly, equalising just 12 seconds later to set the tone for a breathless first period.
Changla briefly regained the lead through Stanzin Namgyal’s tap-in, but Tsering Nurboo restored parity before Chamba Tsetan snapped the deadlock with a clinical drag-shot finish. From there, the Shans took control. Phuntsog Namgyal and Urgain extended the advantage, and the momentum shifted decisively.
The Shans’ relentless pressure continued across periods. Rigzen Namgyal added to the tally, while Chamba completed his hat-trick with sharp finishing in the attacking zone. Urgain, leading from the front, also completed his treble, guiding the Shans to the day’s only double-digit scoreline. The commanding 11–3 win lifted Changthang Shans two spots up the points table, while the Blasters slipped down a place.
Purig Warriors Dominate
Kargil’s Purig Warriors followed with a convincing 8–1 victory over Zanskar Chadar Tamers. Captain Sajjad Hussain dictated the tempo early, netting twice in the first period a tap-in followed by a drag-shot finish. Purig widened the gap in the second period through Zakir Hussain’s slapshot and Sarfaraz Hussain’s close-range effort. The third period saw Answar Hussain take centre stage, completing a hat-trick with a backhanded flick, a tap-in, and the final goal of the contest.
Nawaz Ali added a wrist-shot strike, while Jigmath Kunzong managed a late consolation for the Tamers with a drag flick. The result propelled Purig up one place in the standings, while Zanskar dropped by one.
Season’s First Draw in Women’s Fixture
The women’s fixture between Shakar Chiktan Queens and Humas Queens produced the first draw of the season, ending 1–1 in a tightly contested affair. Maqsuma Akhter gave Humas the lead in the dying moments of the first period with a composed tap-in. However, Shakar captain Nissa Khatoon responded immediately in the opening minute of the second period, converting an equaliser that levelled the contest.
Both teams tightened defensively thereafter, and despite sustained efforts at both ends, neither side could break the deadlock. The draw moved Shakar Chiktan Queens up one position in the standings, while Humas Queens retained their place.
Sham Wolves edged past United Nubra 3–2 in another closely fought encounter. Jigmet Choter opened the scoring early, but Nubra equalised through Tashi Chotak’s drag-shot finish in the closing minute of the first period. Rigzen Dorjey restored the Wolves’ lead in the second, his slapshot deflecting off the goalkeeper’s pad and into the net. Captain Stanzin Chosphel then extended the advantage with a powerful strike from centre ice.
United Nubra mounted a late push, with Tsewang Tashi narrowing the gap in the third period, but Sham Wolves held firm to secure the win. The victory lifted the Wolves two spots on the table, while Nubra’s position remained unchanged.
Royals Seal Late Winner
Shakar Chiktan Royals closed the day with a narrow 3–2 win over Kharu Falcons in a contest decided deep into the third period. Asgar Ali opened the scoring with a crisp slapshot, and Ali Akbar doubled the lead after skating through the defensive zones and finishing from close range. Kharu responded strongly in the second period, with Rigzin Punchok and Jigmat Choster scoring in quick succession to level the match.
With the game finely poised, Ashiq Hussain delivered the decisive moment in the 14th minute of the third period, converting a tap-in to secure the win for the Royals. The victory ensured Shakar Chiktan Royals remained within the top four.
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As the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3 progresses deeper into its campaign, the competition has intensified across both men’s and women’s categories. With hat-tricks, tight finishes, and the season’s first draw adding to the drama, Day 10 underlined the growing quality and competitiveness of Ladakh’s flagship winter sporting event.
