On behalf of Melissa Rulli

****

Hi Everyone,

As of this Tuesday 29 April 

I would like to invite all female hockey players registered with ihnsw to train with the Canterbury team on the first Tuesday of every month. This includes all girls and women registered to play ice hockey this season with any club on any team.

Training in scheduled for 815-930pm, please ensure you are ready to get on the ice at 815pm.

If you have any questions prior to Tuesday please feel free to call  Rebecca on 0400 397 165

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) launched its season last weekend with six games, with all teams playing at least 1 game each. Already across Australia there has been an improvement in crowd numbers and game attendance, the vibrancy stirred to life by the recent World Championship Division II win fuelling renewed interest in the sport. Some rinks have recorded or are expecting record attendance for their season opening games.

So far there have been games in Adelaide, Melbourne, Penrith, NSW Central Coast and Newcastle, with Canberra to host their first game on Saturday night. Similarly, Round 2 features six games, starting with a cross-city rivalry between the Bears and the Ice Dogs at Baulkham Hills rick, the Sydney ice Arena.

On Saturday the Canberra Knights host the Gold Coast Blue Tongues, who will be gypsies for the first few rounds of the season while they wait for renovations to their new rink in Queensland are completed. The Blue Tongues then head to Baulkham hills on Sunday where they and the Ice Dogs will both play their second game for the round. This game is especially crucial for both teams as it is worth double the typical 3 competition points.

The Melbourne Ice will travel to Adelaide to continue their rivalry in a double-header weekend. The same two teams will back up again the following day for a second game. The Knights face a difficult away trip on Sunday night, travelling all the way to Newcastle for a game versus the North Stars at Warners Bay’s Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.

Currently The Bears from Penrith are leading the competition. The Bears are current champions are undefeated after two games. Unbeaten after 1 game are other finalists from 2007; Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle. The Central Coast Rhinos are 50/50 with a win and a loss, while the Ice Dogs, Knights and Blue Tongues are yet to win a point.

Ticket prices vary between $12 and $25 for adults, contact your local ice rink for details.

Thursday 24^th April 08

The Bears vs. Western Sydney Ice Dogs                 Sydney Ice Arena                                             7.30pm

Saturday 26^th April 08

Gold Coast Blue Tongues vs. Canberra Knights   Phillip Swim & Skate                                       5.30pm

Melbourne Ice vs. Adelaide Avalanche                  Adelaide Ice Arena                                          4.30pm (S.A. time)

Sunday 27^th April 08

Canberra Knights vs. Newcastle North Stars        Hunter Ice Skating Stadium                         5.00pm

Gold Coast Blue Tongues vs. Western Sydney Ice Dogs                  Sydney Ice Arena             5.45pm

Melbourne Ice vs. Adelaide Avalanche                  Adelaide Ice Arena                                          4.30pm (S.A. time)

Congratulations to Darryl Barbour from Latham ACT for winning is very own pair of S15 Skates by taking part in our online survey.

Watch this space for more competitions.

While Australia considers how it will tackle the challenge of being a Division I ice hockey nation, the 23 men of the gold-medal winning Division II team have returned to their jobs and their AIHL teams.

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) consists of 6 times Minor Premiers and 2 times AIHL Champions the Adelaide Avalanche, ‘original three’ team and 1998 National Champions the Canberra Knights, newcomers Central Coast Rhinos, current AIHL Champions ‘The Bears’ from Penrith, new glamour club the Gold Coast Blue Tongues, 2004 National Champions the Western Sydney Ice Dogs, and 3 times National Champions and 1 time Minor Premiers the Newcastle North Stars.

This weekend all eight teams will play in AIHL matches, with three games on Saturday and three on Sunday. On Saturday the Blue Tongues start their season off by travelling to Newcastle on Saturday night, and nearby Central Coast on Sunday. The Canberra Knights also pack their bags, they play in Adelaide on Saturday night and in Melbourne on Sunday night. In Penrith, The Bears will first host the Rhinos from Central Coast on Saturday, and double-up against cross-town rivals the Ice Dogs on Sunday night.

Each team features up to five import players each who are typically professional athletes in their own countries. The games are physical and fast and the action happens just metres away from the spectators.

Ticket prices vary between $12 and $25 for adults, contact your local ice rink for details.

Saturday 19^th April 08

Canberra Knights vs. Adelaide Avalanche              Adelaide Ice Arena                                          4.30pm (SA time)

Gold Coast Blue Tongues vs. Newcastle North Stars         Hunter Ice Skating Stadium         5.00pm

Central Coast Rhinos vs. The Bears           Penrith Ice Palace                                                            5.30pm

Sunday 20^th April 08

Canberra Knights vs. Melbourne Ice                        Oakleigh Olympic Ice                                      4.15pm

Western Sydney Ice Dogs vs The Bears                  Penrith Ice Palace                                            5.00pm

Gold Coast Blue Tongues vs. Central Coast Rhinos            Erina Ice Arena                                  5.45pm