The Seibu Prince Rabbits staved off elimination in the Asia League Ice Hockey finals on Friday afternoon in Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, defeating the host Nippon Paper Cranes 7-4 in Game 5.
Rabbits captain Takahito Suzuki had a hat trick to lead, including two goals during a four-goal flurry in the second period. He added an empty-netter with 1:17 left in the game.
The Paper Cranes hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, which returns to Tokyo's DyDo Drinco Ice Arena for Game 6 on Sunday. The puck will drop at 5 p.m. If necessary, Game 7 will be held on Monday at 7:15 p.m. in Tokyo.