Latest news with #IceBlacks
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Bronze medal ‘bittersweet'
SkyCity Stampede's Colin McIntosh was named player of the tourney for the NZ Ice Blacks following last week's world champs in Dunedin. PHOTO: SUPPLIED While Ice Blacks head coach Queenstowner Cam Frear is stoked his charges secured the bronze medal at last week's IIHF Division 2 Group B champs in Dunedin, he admits it's "a bit bittersweet". "I think all of us went there with the goal of gaining promotion and getting gold, but Georgia and Iceland were both very good teams and they definitely deserved to come away with gold and silver, respectively. "[But] any time you go to worlds and you're able to get a medal, you've got to be pretty happy." The Ice Blacks boasted nine SkyCity Stampede players, including forward Colin McIntosh who was named Ice Blacks' player of the tourney. Across the five games, he scored three goals and assisted in five — overall, he was 12th-equal in goal-scoring leaders, ninth-equal in assists and second in face-off leaders — Stampede's Dylan Devlin was 14th. Frear: "He [McIntosh] was so good for us, in every single game he stepped up and kind of led us, offensively. "He deserved New Zealand player of the tournament." Other Stampede standouts included Lachlan Frear (one goal, one assist), Stefan Amston (one goal, assisted by Jordan Challis), and debutant Axel Ruski-Jones (one assist). As to the atmosphere in Dunedin, Frear says it was "awesome". "Over 1000 people [came for] the last two games that we had, and having big crowds for all of the games isn't something that's normal any other time you go to world champs, anywhere else in the world. "For it to be family and friends and workmates ... was pretty special for the coaches and the players as well."
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Black Ice Edges Bulgaria In Thriller At Sold-Out Dunedin Ice Stadium
02 May A deafening crowd roared to its feet in Dunedin tonight as the Ice Blacks secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Bulgaria at the IIHF Division II Group B World Championships. With a sell-out home crowd packed into the Dunedin Ice Stadium, the Ice Blacks delivered one of their grittiest performances of the tournament, grinding out a hard-fought victory that keeps their silver medal hopes alive heading into the final day. In a game that was evenly matched from puck drop to final whistle, it was New Zealand's composure in key moments - and the electric atmosphere behind them - that made the difference. Fan favourite Justin Daigle sealed the win with just minutes left on the clock, wiring home the game-winning goal off a crisp feed from Colin McIntosh to send the arena into absolute chaos. The Canadian-born blueliner's celebration was matched only by the thunderous response from the home faithful. New Zealand found the net once per period despite a penalty-heavy contest that saw both benches routinely shortened by minor infractions. The first goal came off the stick of Colin McIntosh, who was later named Player of the Game for New Zealand. The dynamic forward was everywhere tonight, generating relentless pressure with linemates Chris Eaden and Jacob Carey. The trio combined for two of the team's three goals and countless high-danger chances. Alexander Regan added the second marker for the Kiwis, taking a perfect pass from Eaden and finishing with precision midway through the second. But Bulgaria never backed down, clawing back both times to even the score and threatening late into the third. McIntosh's late-game heroics on the Daigle goal ultimately separated the two sides, pushing New Zealand ahead for good. With the win, New Zealand now faces Iceland tomorrow night in a clash that will decide the silver medal. Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. in what promises to be another electric atmosphere. Strap in, Dunedin. One more game. One more medal. And this team is just getting warmed up.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Ice Blacks Dominate In Dunedin: 7–1 Victory Over Thailand Sets The Stage For Sold-Out Showdowns
The Ice Blacks lit up Dunedin Ice Stadium last night with a dominant 7–1 win over Thailand in their opening game of the 2025 IIHF Division II B World Championships. But it wasn't all smooth skating from the first puck drop. The opening period saw both teams struggling to find their rhythm. Despite New Zealand's home crowd energy, the Ice Blacks and Thailand traded chances in a high-paced but scoreless stretch. The breakthrough came late in the period when #19 Colin McIntosh snapped home the game's first goal, assisted by #15 Ian Audas and #16 Chris Eaden, finally giving Kiwi fans something to cheer about. Thailand clawed back in the second period, capitalising on a power play to tie the game 1–1. The equaliser sparked nervous murmurs in the stands, but they were short-lived. #5 Lachlan Frear answered back with a critical go-ahead goal, set up by steady defenseman and eventual Player of the Day #23 Justin Daigle, restoring momentum and giving New Zealand a 2–1 lead heading into the final period. From there, the floodgates opened. The third period was a clinic in offensive execution. Goals came thick and fast as the Ice Blacks overwhelmed the Thai defense with relentless pressure and slick passing. #24 Jacob Carey, #15 Ian Audas, #3 Stefan Amston, #8 Joseph Orr, and finally #16 Chris Eaden all found the back of the net, blowing the game wide open and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. By the time Eaden's wrister beat Thailand's second netminder, #50 Pattarapol Ungkulpattanasuk - who was subbed in after Thailand's starter opted to come out - the writing was on the wall. With six different Ice Blacks putting goals on the board and every line firing, head coach Cameron Frear couldn't be happier with his team's performance: 'We stuck to our structure, trusted each other, and the boys showed the grit and flair we've been building toward. The energy in the building was electric - we're feeding off it and ready for what's next.' Next, that energy will explode. With their dominant win over Thailand, the Ice Blacks are now firmly in the hunt for a silver or bronze medal, setting their sights on the podium as the tournament heats up. Friday night against Bulgaria and Sunday against Iceland are officially sold out. The Dunedin Ice Stadium will be packed to the rafters with Kiwi fans ready to roar. These games are more than matchups - they're statement nights for a team on a mission, and an atmosphere no one in the hockey world will want to miss. Current tournament standings: Team Games played Win Overtime Win Loss Overtime Loss Points GEORGIA 3 2 1 0 0 8 NEW ZEALAND 3 2 0 1 0 6 ICELAND 3 2 0 1 0 6 BULGARIA 3 1 0 1 1 4 CHINESE TAIPEI 3 1 0 2 0 3 THAILAND 3 0 0 3 0 0 © Scoop Media
Otago Daily Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Playing in front of family special for Devlin
Dylan Devlin has spent many a day skating around the Dunedin Ice Rink. It was like a second home for the Ice Black playing the sport at school and throughout his 100 caps for the Dunedin Thunder. But there will be no games quite as special as this week, representing the Ice Blacks at the division 2, group B world championships on his home ice. It is the first chance for Devlin — who is originally from Dunedin but now lives in Queenstown — to pull on the black jersey in front of his entire family at home. "They sacrificed a lot for me to play and a lot of money put into me — getting them to see me play for the country is pretty special," Devlin said. The forward, who is playing in his second world tournament and has played in several transtasman series, has nearly seen it all when it comes to the ice hockey scene in his home town. But sitting in the stands and seeing the way the community came out to support the Ice Fernz during their tournament a fortnight ago was "electric", and only added to the buzz for the Ice Blacks. "It was very, very cool. "I've never seen Dunedin like that for the women's so I'm very excited to be on the ice on that side." The Ice Blacks made a good start to their quest for gold, beating Chinese Taipei, but were thumped 5-0 by Georgia on Monday night. Devlin acknowledged every game was tough and they needed to turn up to leave their best perfomance on the ice. "Every game's kind of like a gold-medal game, you know. "You can't slack off." After growing up playing rugby, Devlin took to ice hockey at intermediate, through a European coach who encouraged him to train every day. That passion followed through when he was at King's High School and later made his Thunder debut at 17. There was plenty of bench-warming in those early days, but had it not been for those experiences, Devlin acknowledges he might never have got to the international ice. "Just being part of the environment gets you to where you are today, you know." He spent about 12 seasons with the Thunder, and played 100 games, before deciding it was time to try something new and heading for Queenstown. After two seasons with the Stampede under his belt, Devlin relished the change, calling it a big opportunity to spend more time playing hockey in a tight community. Devlin, who has recently gone out on his own as a builder, is also giving back to the sport that has given him so much and helping foster the next generation of talent. "I help the under-12s quite a bit after work. It's kind of fun. "I mean, I got that when I was here, so giving it back is kind of what you do, I guess, when you grow up." Ice hockey was a different sport in the New Zealand sporting landscape but that, alongside its intensity, was why Devlin loved it. "You tell a lot of Kiwis around New Zealand about ice hockey and they don't even know it's a sport here. "It's quite unique as well." After having yesterday off, the Ice Blacks are back in action against Thailand tonight.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Georgia Proves Too Strong As Ice Blacks Fall 5-0 In Dunedin
The New Zealand Ice Blacks faced a formidable challenge last night at the IIHF World Championship Division II B, going down 5-0 to a powerful Georgian side at Dunedin Ice Stadium. From the opening face-off, Georgia asserted their dominance with a fast, physical game, controlling much of the play and keeping the Ice Blacks pinned in their defensive zone for long stretches. Georgia, who have become an increasingly competitive force in international ice hockey, showed their class, strength, and clinical finishing ability, and now sit unbeaten at the top of the tournament table with two wins from two games. Despite the scoreline, the Ice Blacks showed heart and grit in a bruising contest. Stand-out performances came from forward Colin McIntosh, Justin Daigle, Jacob Carey, and the tireless Joe Orr, who was named New Zealand's Player of the Game. After two games, New Zealand sits in fourth place with one win and one loss. Today is a scheduled rest day for all teams, offering a chance for recovery and regrouping with low-impact on-ice sessions. The Ice Blacks will look to bounce back tomorrow when they face Thailand, who are still searching for their first win of the tournament. New Zealand will be aiming to reignite their campaign and climb back up the standings. The puck drops for New Zealand vs Thailand tomorrow at 8pm - a crucial game as the second half of the tournament unfolds. About the Ice Blacks The Ice Blacks are New Zealand's national men's ice hockey team, representing the country on the world stage in IIHF competition. Known for their grit, determination, and fast-paced style of play, the Ice Blacks are a proud symbol of the growth of ice hockey in New Zealand. They regularly compete in the IIHF World Championship Division II tournaments and have a strong following at home and abroad. About the IIHF World Championship Division II B The IIHF World Championship Division II B is an international tournament featuring emerging hockey nations from around the globe. Teams compete for promotion to higher divisions, with each game offering valuable world ranking points. The 2025 tournament is being held in Dunedin, New Zealand, providing a rare opportunity for local fans to see world championship action on home ice. Teams include: New Zealand (Ice Blacks), Chinese Taipei, Georgia, Thailand, Iceland and Bulgaria
