Aussie teams opened Trans Tasman Champions League with victories

07 Jul 2012 | Davide Tuniz

The first day of tournament pointed out Australian teams' primacy

The Trans Tasman Champions League, the competition between the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) and the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL), opened today at Medibank Icehouse in Melbourne.
Melbourne Ice, AIHL Champions plus runners up Newcastle North Stars battle it out against NZIHL Champions Botany Swarm, and runners up Southern Stampede. New Zealand teams are allowed to play with all their 5 imports, while Australian teams can allign just four not Aussie players, as in respective leagues.
In the first game Melbourne Ice hammered Southern Stampede with the final score of 12-2 in front of 720 spectators. National team forward Joseph Hughes was selected as MVP with 3 goals scored and one assist served, while Melbourne imports Matt Armstrong and Jason Baclig both contributed with 4 assists. Armstrong scored two goals, while Baclig just one. Canadian Joel Cleroux was named Stampede's MVP. Goals for Kiwis were scored by Simon Glass and Brett Speirs.

The second game was more battled and New Zealand champion Botany Swarm opened the second period winning 2-1 against Newcastle but Brian Bales and Jeremy Boyer overturned score before the third period, where North Stars take the decisive advantage with Sam Austin, Ray Sheffield and Beau Taylor closing the game with 6-3 score for Australian team. Canadian Rob Lawrance - 2 assists served - and Botany goalie Zak Nothling - 37 saves - were elected MVP.
Tomorrow in the final day Botany will face Melbourne Ice, while Newcastle will play against Southern Stampede