• Howick and Pakuranga Times
THE Botany Swarm start their national club ice hockey league season with a double-header weekend of home matches against the Southern Stampede of Queenstown this Saturday and Sunday.
The Stampede started their NZ Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) campaign with two victories on the road at Otago rivals the Dunedin Thunder last weekend.
It’s a big season for the Swarm, the national champions of 2008 and 2007. Last year’s disappointing results are now behind them as they aim to get back on top.
On paper, the Swarm side is very strong, boasting 13 past or present Ice Blacks, including national captain Corey Down.
The Swarm, coached by Andreas Kaisser, also feature top Kiwi goaltender (goalkeeper) Zak Nothling and fellow Ice Blacks Sam Boniface, Martin Lee, Lukas Birgel, Ian Wannamaker, Andrew and Josh Hay, Charlie Huber, Jordan Challis, Richard and Lyle Idoine, and KC Ball, the team’s assistant coach, an ex-pat Canadian.
“The strong chemistry of the Swarm and the outstanding coaching of Andy Kaisser will certainly count in their favour,” says Leesa Terlesk, of the NZ Ice Hockey Federation.
The Stampede include Ice Blacks veteran Brett Speirs, the NZIHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, and Simon Glass, the league’s all-time top point scorer.
The Botany Swarm plays the Southern Stampede at Paradice Ice Arena, Botany, this Saturday and Sunday at 5pm. For more information about the national ice hockey league, visit www.nzihl.com.
