Newley Purnell

AP/globeandmail.com:

Changchun, China — Kazakhstan scored 52 goals against Thailand in Asian Winter Games hockey competition yesterday, but the goal that brought the most cheers came from the outgunned Thais.

The Asian hockey little guys went into the game knowing they were going to lose to tournament favourite Kazakhstan, but an opportune goal seven minutes into the third period was celebration enough in the 52-1 loss.

The hero was forward Arthit Thamwongsin…who jumped on a rebound off the boards to slam a shot past Kazakhstani goaltender Sergey Ogureshnikov.

Up to that point, the highlight for the Thais had been when defenceman Teranai Harnnarujchai bodychecked one of the linesmen.

(Emphasis mine. You know your hockey team is doing poorly when a routine defensive play is considered a “highlight.”)