The Bhubaneswar leg of the Men's Hockey India League 2026 opened with fireworks on Saturday, January 17, as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintained their stranglehold on the competition while defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers saw their title defense come to a crushing end at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.

Jay Stacy's Lancers produced yet another commanding performance, dismantling SG Pipers 6-1 to extend their winning streak to five matches and cement their position at the summit of the points table. Cooper Burns and Alexander Hendrickx were the stars of the show, with each player finding the net twice. Burns opened the scoring in the 8th minute before doubling his tally in the 23rd, while Hendrickx added his contributions in the 39th and 56th minutes. Craig Marais and Angad Singh completed the rout with goals in the 10th and 54th minutes respectively. KY Williot scored a consolation goal for the Pipers, but it mattered little against the rampant hosts.

Boby Singh Dhami was named Player of the Match for his brilliant playmaking display, orchestrating attacks and creating numerous opportunities for his teammates throughout the contest.

However, the bigger story of the evening came in the earlier fixture, where Hyderabad Toofans delivered a stunning 6-0 thrashing of Shrachi Bengal Tigers. In what was a repeat of last season's final, Pasha Gademan's Toofans turned the tables emphatically, with Zachary Wallace and Tim Brand both registering hat-tricks in a devastating attacking display.

Wallace set the tone early, opening the scoring in just the 2nd minute after Talwinder Singh's excellent hold-up play in the circle. The Scottish midfielder added two more goals in the 17th and 30th minutes, showcasing exceptional dribbling skills and clinical finishing. Brand proved equally lethal, converting a penalty corner rebound in the 12th minute before adding further goals in the 39th and 46th minutes to complete his treble.

The defending champions appeared shell-shocked throughout, unable to find any rhythm despite having penalty corner opportunities early in the match. Tom Grambusch's dragflicks went unconverted, and goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg stood firm when called upon to deny the Tigers any hope of a comeback.

This comprehensive defeat has officially eliminated Shrachi Bengal Tigers from playoff contention, bringing a premature end to their title defense. The result represents a dramatic fall from grace for the team that lifted the trophy just last season.

With the tournament entering its crucial final phase ahead of the January 26 conclusion, the Lancers appear to be the team to beat. Their combination of defensive solidity and attacking firepower has made them virtually unstoppable, and they will be heavy favorites to claim their first Hockey India League title.

The Bhubaneswar leg promises more exciting action as the eight-team competition races toward its climax, with teams battling fiercely for the remaining playoff spots. Tamil Nadu Dragons, Ranchi Royals, and Hyderabad Toofans remain in contention behind the dominant Lancers, setting up what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the league phase.