RAMPING UP CHINA'S PUCK LUCK

Qualifying for 2022 Olympics main goal of ambitious plan

Before the International Ice Hockey Federation considers offering China direct qualification to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics tournament, the country first has to show it deserves it, a top IIHF official said in Beijing on Wednesday.

After watching host South Korea vie with world powers amid sensational support at last month's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, China's hockey heavyweights are eager to see similar enthusiasm for the home team at the 2022 Beijing Games.