NZ U20 Ice Hockey Team wins Gold!

New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation
PRESS RELEASE

NZ U20 Ice Hockey Team wins Gold!

The New Zealand Under 20's Ice Hockey team has caused a major upset today by beating Serbia 5 – 4 at the International Ice Hockey Federation U20 World Championships Division 3 in Belgrade, Serbia to win the Gold medal.

This is the first time the New Zealand U20 team has won a Gold medal at the International Ice Hockey World Championships and is the second gold medal in two years for the New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation with the Senior Men's team the New Zealand Ice Blacks winning gold in Ireland in 2007.

In a close game, the New Zealand team outplayed the higher ranked Serbian team in what has been the game of the tournament so far.

The New Zealand Team fought back from being one goal down after the 13th minute, with a goal by Dale Harrop in the 18th minute. With the score being 1 – 1 at the end of the first period.

The second period was all action seeing saw an brilliant goal by James Herbert to see the New Zealanders go ahead 2 -1 in the 34th minute, the Serbian team equalising in the 39th minute.
The New Zealand team replied straight away with a second goal for James Herbert, with the second period finishing with New Zealand leading 3 – 2.

The third period began with two early goals for New Zealand in the 43rd minute to Joshua Hay and Christopher Eaden, Serbia replying soon after with a goal to Igor Andric.
Two penalties in the middle of the period saw the New Zealand defence come under huge pressure, but they were able to survive the Serbian attack conceding one late goal in the 58th minute, securing the game 5 – 4 and the Gold medal.

Previously in the tournament New Zealand easily beat Bulgaria 19 – 1, Turkey 20 -1 and Armenia 8 – 4 and had history making win against Australia 7 – 2.

With one game to play against South Africa, the New Zealand Team has secured the Gold medal and also promotion to Division 2 next year.

ENDS

See... NZ_U20s_Team_Roster.pdf