DESPITE a penalty-laden first period, the Philippine men's national ice hockey team is off to a strong start in its debut in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships Division 3B by defeating Singapore, 6-3, at Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday.

Philippine national ice hockey team captain Manvil Billones. PHOTO FROM HOCKEY PHILIPPINES

Team captain Manvil Billones and forward Jan Aro Regencia each tallied two goals and an assist in the game, while Filipino Swiss forward Steven Füglister finished with three assists.

No goals were scored in the first period, but the Filipinos were penalized four times.

The Southeast Asian neighbors exchanged goals in the second period, with Billones tallying both Philippine goals, one of which on a power play, but forwards Bryan Lee and Ethan Redden capitalized for the Singaporean side.

In the third period, forwards Kenwrick Sze and Regencia found the goal two minutes apart to give the Filipinos a 4-2 lead before Singapore forward Christopher Kelly Wong brought his team within one.

Regencia's goal in the third period was assisted by goaltender Paolo Spafford.

With less than four minutes to go in regulation, defenseman Eishner "EJ" Sibug scored the Philippines' insurance goal on a power play before Regencia got his second goal of the game a minute later.

The Filipinos outshot the Singaporeans, 38-29.

On Saturday, the Filipinos will face Iran and will play against the host team on Monday.

Singapore defeated the Philippines at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games on home ice in Pasay City.

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