Botany Swarm repeat as NZIHL champions
The Botany Swarm have beaten the Southern Stampede in the grand final of the NZIHL played on the 27th of August in Botany. The close 5-3 victory gives the Swarm their second consecutive title and 4th title in 5 years.
The evening opened with special guest singer David Wallace who lead the crowd in the National Anthem in Maori and English. A ceremonial puck drop followed by Libby-Jean Hay - one of two New Zealanders qualified for the 2012 Youth Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria.
The NZIHL grand final pitted the defending champions (The Botany Swarm) against the Southern Stampede. The game began with both teams playing at high intensity, scoring did not open until the final four minutes of the first period when Ian Wannamaker won the face off to Josh Hay who made a onetime slap shot and beat the goaltender clean. The Stampede equalized the score soon after with a goal by Mlivic assisted by Zizian to end the first period 1-1.
The second period was a scoreless frame in which both teams had equal penalty minutes but the Swarm more than doubled the Stampedes shots on goal. The third period saw a lead change, with Stampede Captain Simon Glass scoring at the 17.38 mark. Glass came down the wing and let a slap shot go that beat Zak Nothling between the legs. After a few minutes the swarm responded with two goals in quick succession from Polozov (coming around the back of the goal) unassisted and KC Ball assisted by Martin Lee and Charlie Huber. A third goal from Brian Moseley cemented the Swarms lead. Hope was resparked for The Stampede with a goal by Brett Speirs who took a pass from Zizian from the corner, a onetime shot from the slot to bring the score to 4-3 to the Swarm with just 5.58 on the clock.The Swarm victory was sealed by a goal from Polozov assisted by Jordan Challis to bring the final score to 5-3.
The Swarm was presented the Birgel Cup and are now the NZIHL champions for 2011, the 4th time in the New Zealand Ice Hockey Leagues history of 7 years.
MVP for the final was Alexandr Polozov, Swarm #16
