| Penrith to get
two World Ice Hockey Championship Exhibition Games
Penrith will host two Exhibition Games prior
to the World Ice Hockey Championships, which commence on April
7th in Newcastle. On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Australian
National Team will take on the Australian Ice Hockey League
Imports. This will be the final hit out the Aussies have before
they host the Division II, World Championships. “Our
local and overseas based players have been in camp since Friday
and this will be a real measure of where we are in preparation
for winning Gold”, said veteran defenceman Anthony Wilson.
Penrith Bears players Vlad Rubes, Adrian Esposito, Tyler Lovering
and Captain Murray Wand will be competing for a spot on the
Australian Team and are expected to suit up for the game.
The puck drops at 8:00 pm.
On Saturday April 5th, history will be made
at Penrith Ice Palace when the Bears play Spain in their preparation
for the World Championships, which commence two days later.
“Spain will arrive on Thursday and will use Penrith
as their base, prior to the World Championships”, said
Ice Hockey Australia Marketing Director Rick Williams. We
are very excited about an international team setting up camp
in the Penrith area, which will truly put the city on the
international hockey map”, he said. Play commences at
5:30 pm on Saturday and tickets are only $10.
Ice Hockey Australia President Don Rurak announced
from Ice Hockey Australia’s Head Office, in Adelaide,
that all is ready for the 2008 Division II World Championships,
which will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales. “This
is a very significant event for us, with 2008 being our hockey
Centennial”, said Rurak. “Winning this Division
would send us up to Division I where you have an opportunity
to qualify for the Olympics”, he said.
Australia’s National Senior Team is coached
by former eight-year National Hockey League, Pittsburgh Penguins
Assistant Captain, Steve McKenna. The team is ranked second
behind China and will take on Spain, Iceland, Mexico and New
Zealand, as Newcastle hosts our first World Championships
since 1989. “Spain will be tough but Australia’s
biggest test is expected to come from their regional arch-rival
China”, said Mr Rurak. “However, as teams from
around the World have improved in skill levels, Mexico and
Iceland could provide upsets”, he said. “With
this, you can also never rule out our cross-Tasman rivals”!
Newcastle is located two
hours north of Sydney, offers a spectacular coastline and
is gateway to the famous Hunter Valley Wine Region.
The Championship will take place April 7th
to 13th at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. Call the IHA office
on
08 8251 1734 for tickets.
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