Chennai, Jan. 6 -- SG Pipers served up a rollercoaster of attacking brilliance, midfield dynamism, and goalkeeping heroics in their Men's Hero Hockey India League 2025-26 opening game, only to suffer a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat to HIL GC as Kane Russell's dramatic 60th-minute penalty corner hat-trick sealed victory in the thrilling encounter, according to a release.

Right from pushback, SG Pipers moved the ball with swift passing and incisive early raids, forcing HIL GC onto the back foot and earning a fourth-minute penalty corner that saw Argentina's clinical finisher Tomas Domene unleash a powerful drag-flick, only to be denied by a strong save from goalkeeper James Mazarelo. Undeterred, the Pipers kept the pressure on through a high-qu...