Latest news with #IceFernz
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ice Blacks captain living the dream
Callum Burns is living out his childhood dream this week. The Ice Blacks defender is no stranger to the big time after nearly a decade with the national side, but taking over the captaincy and playing in a world tournament at home has added another level. "It's pretty exciting," Burns said. "A really big honour ... to play in front of the home crowd as well. "It's been a childhood dream of mine, so I'm really, really excited." The Ice Blacks opened their division 2, group B world championship campaign with a 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei on Sunday and were back on the ice against Georgia last night. They play Thailand (Thursday), Bulgaria (Friday) and Iceland (Saturday) — the latter two games have already sold out — across the week. Every team presented a different challenge, but Burns said the Ice Blacks needed to focus on themselves first. "I think just maintaining consistency. You've got to keep a level head. These tournaments, anything can happen — top teams can lose to lower teams as far as seeding goes. "You can't get too far ahead of yourself and you've just got to take it game by game." Drawing on the support from Dunedin home crowds, who came out in force for the women's tournament a fortnight ago, and using the home ice to their advantage was key. "They [the Ice Fernz] got a lot of support and it looks like we're going to get the same. "It's nice to be here. We're not having to adjust to going to the other side of the world. "It's been nice to get right into it and we've had a good training camp ... we're in good stead." Burns, who hails from Queenstown, started playing ice hockey when he was 6, after visiting a friend's house and trying out his hockey gear. The sport has been a mainstay in his life ever since and he has been part of a successful reign with the Southern Stampede, who won their record ninth Birgel Cup in the national league last year. Burns put their success down to the culture, starting in the locker room and off the ice as mates, and bringing that to their games. "The whole organisation — management, coaches, physios — everyone that's involved contributes their bit. "Not one person can do everything ... just trying to bring that same kind of team environment to this team [the Ice Blacks] as well." It was those friendships that had kept him in the sport for so long. "I've got all my best mates growing up that are on this team as well. "I love winning, as does everyone, and to do that with your best mates — not much better." — Yesterday's results: Iceland beat Bulgaria 8-4; Chinese Taipei beat Thailand 7-3 and Georgia beat New Zealand 5-0.
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Dunedin Ice Hockey World Championship
sport competition 26 minutes ago Did you know there's a sporting world championship taking place here in Aotearoa right now? Dunedin is currently hosting the Ice Hockey World Championship. The women's championship finished last week, whilst the men played their first match last night. Jesse is joined by Ice Fernz coach Brooke Patron.
Otago Daily Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ice Fernz down Turkey to claim silver
New Zealand's best female ice hockey players have set the standard — now it is up to the men to match them. An entertaining week of action came to a close with the final day of the division 2, group B women's world championship at the Dunedin Ice Stadium on Sunday night. New Zealand capped an excellent tournament with a 3-2 win over Turkey to claim the silver medal. The Ice Blacks will now take centre stage when their own division 2, group B world tournament starts in Dunedin this Sunday. Home ice was always going to be significant for the Ice Fernz, and they responded with another clutch performance to see off Turkey and claim the silver medal in front of a cheering crowd. It was a slow burner of a game with both teams clearly feeling the effects of the demanding tournament. Fatigue was evident on the ice and neither side managed to find the back of the net in the first period. Turkey struck first in the second, breaking the deadlock with a goal to Irmak Gerez after 23 minutes and putting pressure on the Fernz. New Zealand, however, found their rhythm thanks to the relentless effort of forward Katya Blong, who had been a standout player all tournament. Blong got New Zealand on the board, assisted by Anjali Mulari, to tie the game at 1-1. The breakthrough came midway through the third period when Jasmine Horner-Pascoe scored off a feed from Kellye Nelson, giving the Ice Fernz their first lead of the night. Turkey were not done yet, and a Betul Taygar goal made it 2-2 with just minutes to go. With the pressure mounting and silver hanging in the balance, Blong again came through in the clutch. Her second goal of the night — assisted by Nelson and Jaime Jones — sealed the deal for the Kiwis, who celebrated at the final buzzer. Australia had earlier thumped Belgium 6-0 to finish on 14 points (four wins and one overtime win), sealing the gold medal and promotion to group A. New Zealand finished on 12 points and Ukraine, who beat Hong Kong 10-2 on the final day, had 10 points to secure the bronze medal. Ukraine star Valeria Manchik led the tournament in scoring (17 points) and goals (12), and team-mate Daria Tsymyrenko had the most assists (11). Blong was fifth in scoring (nine points) and second in goals (seven), and Jones was second-equal in assists (seven). Australia's Sasha King was the leading goaltender with a save mark of 95.24%. Next was Ice Fernz netminder Grace Harrison (92.78%). International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif attended the world championship and summed up the spirit of the event. "The real winner of this successful tournament was international women's hockey," Tardif said. While the New Zealand women get a deserved break — before they return to their jobs and families — the Ice Blacks prepare to play Chinese Taipei in their opening game this Sunday.
