Day eight of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League, REIHL Season 3 delivered a full spectrum of drama at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, with late goals, dominant team displays and the continuation of unbeaten runs shaping a compelling day of action.
The headline act came in the final fixture, where Humas Warriors edged Zanskar Chadar Tamers 5–2 in a tightly fought contest that was decided only in the closing stages by a decisive hat-trick from Waseem Bilal.
The match lived up to its billing as a high-tempo duel, with both sides trading goals and momentum swings across all three periods. Humas struck first through Shabas Hussain, who opened the scoring in the third minute with a fierce slapshot from the left side of the attacking zone. Zanskar responded in kind, as Jigmath Kunzang levelled matters with a powerful slapshot from central ice, setting the tone for a game defined by clean shooting and quick transitions.
Humas regained the lead through Ghulam Nabi Tak, who finished neatly from close range, but the Tamers refused to go away. The Jigmath–Choying combination clicked again in the second period, with Jigmath scoring his second of the night to restore parity at 2–2. With the contest balanced heading into the final period, it was Waseem Bilal who took control. His first strike, a precise drag shot, broke the deadlock. He followed it up with a flick into the top-right corner to stretch the lead before completing his hat-trick with a thunderous slapshot from the far left, sealing a statement win for the Warriors.
Earlier in the day, Kangs Sing returned to winning ways with a 5–3 victory over Sham Wolves. The defending champions started strongly, taking control in the opening period. Tsering Lhundup opened the scoring in the second minute, before Gonbo Tashi struck twice in quick succession to give Kangs a commanding 3–0 cushion.
The lead was extended further in the second period through Mushtaque Ahmad Giri and captain Karma Rigyal Stein, effectively putting the game beyond reach. Sham Wolves mounted a spirited response in the third period, with Chinba Sonam and Jigmet Choster finding the net, followed by Sonam’s second, but Kangs’ defensive structure held firm to close out the contest.
Changthang Shans produced the most dominant performance of the day, registering an emphatic 8–1 win over Kharu Falcons. From the opening face-off, the Shans asserted complete control, with Chamba Tsetan delivering a standout display. Tsetan struck four unanswered goals in the first period alone, combining sharp wrist shots with close-range tap-ins to establish a 4–0 lead by the first break. Kharu Falcons briefly found a response in the second period through Jigmat Choster, but the Shans elevated their intensity in the final frame.
Rigzen Namgyal added two well-taken goals, Phuntsog Namgyal chipped in from close range, and Tsetan completed a five-goal haul to cap a ruthless offensive showing.
In the women’s category, Sham Eagles continued their impressive run with a composed 4–0 win, extending their unbeaten streak in the league. After sustained pressure in the opening exchanges, Dolkar Angmo finally broke the deadlock late in the first period with a tap-in. The Eagles built on that advantage in the second period as Nima Lhamo finished from close range following a well-timed assist from Chunzin Lhamo.
The result was put beyond doubt in the third period, with Rigzen Angmo scoring with a controlled wrist shot before captain Semzes Dolma added a late tap-in with just 13 seconds remaining.
Purig Warriors also enjoyed a productive outing, defeating Changla Blasters 5–1. Nawaz Ali opened the scoring early with a close-range finish, though Changla briefly threatened a comeback through Jigmet Deskong’s equaliser. The second period proved decisive, as Zakir Hussain struck twice first with a tap-in and then with a drag-shot finish—to swing momentum firmly in Purig’s favour. Captain Sajjad Hussain added another from the doorstep, before Nawaz Ali rounded off the scoring late with a drag shot from the right to complete a controlled team performance.
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As the league moves into Day nine on February 06, the fixtures promise another full slate of competitive action. Sham Wolves will take on Maryul Spawo, followed by Shakar Chiktan Royals facing Changthang Shans. Kharu Falcons will then meet Kangs Sing, before Humas Warriors return to the ice against United Nubra in the final game of the day.
Midway through its league phase, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3 continues to build momentum across both men’s and women’s categories. With teams sharpening their execution and local engagement remaining strong, the competition is settling into a rhythm that reflects both high-performance sport and the distinctive winter sporting culture of Ladakh.
