GT: The Ice Hockey Game of the 2016 Annual Ko-Yon Games ended with a 3-3 tie. Now that the game is over, how do you feel?

 

Hwang: I am quiet uncertain about my feelings. Though the result of the game was not satisfactory, it was not bad. On the other hand, as the flow of the game turned to us, KU, in the latter part of the game, the game ended as a draw. Although there are no regrets, it still leaves much to be desired as we could have won if we had more time left.

 

Hwang: As the Annual Ko-Yon Game is a single game, both teams focus on minimizing mistakes. We try to play as safe as possible because every error can lead to a change in score. We did our play, moving in teams and playing safe, but we lost points in times when we made mistakes. The more upsetting fact was that due to our insufficient scoring abilities, the errors made by Yonsei were not necessarily linked to our scores. As for my own play, the game was certainly gratifying analyzing my line, a set of five players playing at the same time. However, I was not satisfied with my own play, as I made some mistakes and felt the lack of physical strength throughout the game.

 

Hwang: Of course, the moment I scored. This game was my fourth Ko-Yon Games and actually, I had never actually scored even though I had a lot of chances to do so. I was determined not to miss any chances this time. Fortunately, I was able to score an equalizer, so that moment was the most thrilling part of the game.

 

Hwang: The hierarchical culture of university athletic clubs may seem unnecessary, but it is sometimes needed indeed. It is really difficult to establish an adequate culture in which the seniors lead the team and the juniors follow the leaders. This year’s team was the most united team among those of all the four years I experienced. It was not something I could have achieved by myself. Thankfully, the seniors helped me and the juniors followed us well. Our teamwork was a collaborative work of all my teammates.

 

Hwang: It is true that there are moments when living two lives is tiresome. When we go to trainings or enter tournaments, we cannot attend classes. Although official documents are given to the professors, some professors do not take it. It is hard when we cannot get our attendance checked, do not know the class materials, and the professor does not give us replacement papers. However, I am still enjoying my college life as I participate in many school events such as the One Day Bar (ilhob) of the KU Ice Hockey team. Yet, I still wish that I had more friends from various majors other than Physical Education.

 

Hwang: Personally, I think that ice hockey is the most dynamic sport among all sports. It allows physical fights or body checking, and this makes the game full of energy and masculinity. Also, the pace is really fast; it is speedy enough for the players to be switched several times within a period and the transition between offense and defense can occur within seconds. These characteristics make ice hockey really attractive to me.

 

 

Hwang: Yes, but in different ways for different players. It may affect them in a good way, but sometimes, the players may get extremely excited and lose patience. Playing in an uproarious environment is entirely different from playing in a silent condition. Also, call plays, which is very important between the players of the same line, cannot be done on the day of Ko-Yon Games unless we shout in a short distance. That is why experience is really important in the game.

 

 

Hwang: I have not decided on my team yet, but I want to play in one of the teams in the Asia League Ice Hockey. By building a successful career as an athlete, I am hoping to join the national Ice Hockey team in Pyeongchang and Beijing, and further pave the ways into a larger market.