Host team Harbin is off to a winning start in the Asian Ice Hockey league, beating South Korean team Kangwon Land 5-2 in a lop-sided game Wednesday.

The Chinese side had moved ahead after a shot by Zhang Yang surged past the Korean goalkeeper 8 minutes and 21 seconds into the first period.

Harbin had made it 2-0 through a goal from Du Chao at 14 and a half minutes into the game.

The Korean side fought back two minutes later to make it 2-1.

The Chinese had launched fierce attacks with a flurry of goals in the next two periods enlarging the lead to four goals.

The Koreans had netted their second goal in the last few minutes but failed to avoid defeat.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2006)