Australian Ice Hockey Mighty Roos tie China and just miss-out on Gold

The Mighty Roos played like champions but just fell short of gold at the 2006 Division II World Ice Hockey Championships. In the game everyone was waiting for, the Chinese jumped-out to a 2 to 1 lead but the Green & Gold fought back to end the first period with a 2 all draw. In the second, the boys came out flying and took a 3-2 lead but the Chinese tied it up to end the period at 3-3. The Mighty Roos needed a quick start in the third stanza and fired the go ahead goal in just 20 seconds. China, again, came from behind to tie it a 4. The Aussies went ahead for the last time but with just 1:27 left; the Chinese tied the game to win Gold.

Australian Ice Hockey Mighty Roos beat Mexico and eye China for Gold

The Mighty Roos had very little trouble with the much improved Mexicans and just need one big game against tournament favourites China. The Aussies looked sharp with 3 goals in the first period. The boys ran-up 3 more in the second, with the Mexicans unable to reply. In the final period, the Mighty Roos hit for 3 more goals while the Mexicans opened their account with 2 goals, in reply. The Green and Gold need to play the game of their lives, on Sunday, to bring home the bacon. Since there are no playoffs, a 4 goal spread by the Aussies will guarantee them Gold. If they win by 3, they will get the Silver. Last year, the Mighty Roos beat China and do believe they can do the same in 2006.

Green & Gold lose close one but still in hunt for Gold

The Mighty Roos were just beaten by a vastly improved Korean side today but could still win Gold. The Koreans and Chinese have stepped-up in class, since the formation of the Asian Hockey League, which just completed their season. The League includes many pro's as well as teams from, IIHF Division I, Japan. Korea jumped-on the Aussies and took a commanding 3 nil lead after the first period. In the second period, the boys kept Korea scoreless and finally found the net to make it 3-1. In the third, the Mighty Roos scored halfway through the period, to make it a real contest but unfortunately the Koreans answered back; giving them a 4-2 victory. Australia still have a slight chance to win gold but need victories against Mexico and China. Korea would need to lose to China and to the Peoples Republic of Korea, for the Aussie's to have a chance. The Mighty Roos play Mexico on Friday.

Australian Ice Hockey Mighty Roos Crush Kiwi's at World Championships

The Mighty Roos Ice Hockey team continued their winning ways with a convincing 6 to 2 win over New Zealand. "Australia and New Zealand are always competitive in any sport and it was refreshing that the Green and Gold got-up on this one, according to Ice Hockey Australia Marketing Director, Rick Williams. We've recently taken a beating at both codes of football and it was time to return the favour, said Williams". The Mighty Roos and Kiwi's played a tight first period with the Aussies taking a 1 nil lead. In the second, the boys fired-up and netted 2 more goals to take a comfortable 3 nil lead. The final stanza saw New Zealand score a couple but the Mighty Roos hit 3 more goals to give them a convincing 6-2 win. Australia plays the much improved Koreans tomorrow, which will be one of the games of the tournament.

Mighty Roos Record First Up Win

Australia opened the IIHF World Senior, Division II, Championships with a convincing 5-1 win over North Korea. The Mighty Roos build an impressive 3 nil lead, after the first period. In the second, they added another goal to make it 4 nil and Australia and North Korea each scored in the third period to give the Mighty Roos a 5 to 1 victory. (team list below)

National Senior Team Complete Selections For World Championships

The National 2006 Senior Team are leaving nothing to chance and/or a controversial call as the team completed it's final selection camp at the new Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Club Arena, Liverpool, NSW, in preparation for the IIHF Division II World Championships scheduled from 03rd - 09th April 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand.

After finishing with a Silver Medal in the dying second of the Division II 2005 Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, the team is making every effort to ensure there will be no doubt who wins the Gold Medal for 2006.

Before a full house, the team also played two exhibition games against a team of AIHL imports made up of players already in the country, and who are making their preparations for the AIHL 2006 season.

After consideration was given to over 32 players who have been training in their respective states since November 2005, 24 invited players attended the Liverpool Training and Selection Camp for the final 22 positions on the team. Ex Juniors, Josh Harding and James Keane, have joined the Seniors for their first time. Veteran returnees Tyler Lovering and Murray Wand have also secured a spot. The addition of Harding, Keane, Lovering and Wand to the team will provide added strength on defence and scoring on the offence.

Final Team Roster and line ups are:

Walsh, Oddy, Sekura with Rummukainen & Lovering on defence

B. Thilthorp, Rubes, Wand with Wilson & White on defence

Hughes, Webster, Matus with Burke & Foll on defence

Keane, Nelson-Bond, Brlecic with L. Thilthorp & Harding on defence

In goal are veterans Ezzy & Denmam

Team Management is:

Fred Stevenson - Team Manager
Robert Barnes - Team On-ice Technical Adviser
Don Champagne - Team Coach
Ian Webster - Sports-Medicine Officer
Ray Sheffield - Equipment Officer
Don Rurak - Team Leader

The team will meet once again for their final training sessions in Newcastle, NSW from Saturday 25 March 2006 until their departure for New Zealand on Saturday 01st April 2006. They will play two more games during their final preparation.

A special thank you from the team to the Liverpool Saints Ice Hockey Club, Liverpool Rink Management and John Alessi Photography for their assistance and attendance to the trainings and games. As the photo shows, the Liverpool Youth had a great session with the two teams.