India, Jan. 27 -- The Kalinga Lancers have been almost unstoppable this Hockey India League (HIL). During the league stage, the Bhubaneswar-based team lost just one of their seven games to top the standings. They beat Ranchi Royals 2-1 last Saturday in Qualifier 1. The Arthur van Doren-led outfit did an encore in Monday's final as they defeated the Royals 3-2 Bhubaneswar to clinch the trophy the second time after winning in 2017.

Premier drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx scored a brace (4th, 27th) and Dilpreet Singh's (25th) field goal helped the Lancers win. Araijeet Singh Hundal (9th) and skipper Tom Boon (59th), the top-scorer of the tournament with 19 goals, scored for the Royals.

Both teams started by creating an array of circle ent...