Excitement Gaining Momentum for IIHF 2008 Division II Group B Championship in Newcastle

If anyone should believe the IIHF 2008 Division II Group B Championship in Newcastle from the 07 – 13 April 2008 is just another ordinary series of games between competing teams, think again. Teams do not travel half way around the globe to put in mediocre performances. They will be in Newcastle to WIN as the stakes are very high for the competing teams. Win Gold and your country is promoted to Division I, a competition that has your country within five teams from the top sixteen in the World. Finish sixth and your country is relegated to Division III and attempting to regain your position in Division II against other progressing Division III countries who desire the same.

Tickets for the Australians versus Iceland and China games are quickly reaching “sold out” status. Although these are seen as important games for the teams concerned, all other games will see hard fought battles between teams in their effort to record a win and the hope of at least remaining in Division II. Tickets are readily available for these matches and fans will not be disappointed in the standard and excitement of play emanating from these games. They are urged to book early as ticket sales have gained momentum and are likely to reach a frenzy pitch days before the Championship. If fans want the best seats possible, the IHA organisers are saying book now or take your chances on missing out due to the limited seating available at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.

During the first round every team strives to record their first win to maintain medal contention and not have their destiny placed in the hands of the other competing teams. Every game is extremely important to all teams. Win - and you can breathe a bit easier as you may only need one more win to remain in contention for a medal, or at the very least remain in Division II. Lose - and you find yourself looking to record that difficult first win to put you back in contention. No team can be taken for granted. They all desire the same results and success.

When the puck drops between No-1 ranked China, who was relegated from Division I in 2007, and No-3 ranked Spain on Monday 07th April 2008 at 01:00pm, this game will set the stage for an exciting series of games for the entire week. It can be assured fans will not be disappointed as both teams are very quick and proficient in their skills. Win or lose both teams will also be looking at recording wins against Iceland, Mexico and New Zealand to place them in the best position possible for their games against Australia. Iceland, Mexico and New Zealand will have other ideas as they can never be underestimated. They have quietly, and with consistency, steadily improved their level of play to equally match the perceived stronger teams. Perception is not always true to fact as experienced many times at these Championships. In a Round Robin series every game is the final game in the Championship.

Australia only knows this too well as they have been so close many times previous only to lose a crucial game in the dying seconds or minutes of a game. This same experience has also prevailed with the other competing teams. If only for a brief second - let your guard down, take a needless penalty or create a turnover, could find yourself going for the extra attacker to just even the score. The standing adage in ice hockey – they score one, we now have to score two becomes paramount, especially in the dying minutes of a game, and even more important if the results mean a medal, being promoted to Division I or being relegated to Division III and giving up your position to the 2008 winning Division III team at next year’s Championships.

Australian ice hockey enthusiasts and the general public have the opportunity to see some of the best ice hockey on display, an opportunity that does not come to Australia’s shores very often. The sponsors of the like of NSW State Government, DP World, Medi-Bank Private and Skoda see this Championship as a premier event for Australia and have greatly assisted in staging these competitions. They and the fans, who have already booked their tickets, are anxiously waiting the first game of this Championship. Missing a game that is perceived to be not that important could be the contest of the Championship.

One thing is for certain, the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium is renowned for atmosphere because of the close proximity of the viewing fans to the game. The fans, sponsors and teams will be fully entertained.