The grit, determination and skill displayed by the Ice Fernz to nab silver at the World Champs is inspirational according to local players.

The New Zealand national women’s ice hockey team the Ice Fernz placed second in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship Division II Group B in Dunedin at the weekend. 

In a proud moment for New Zealand women’s ice hockey, and a signal of what is to come, IIHF president Luc Tardif summed up the spirit of the event.

“The real winner of this successful tournament, was International Women’s hockey.”

Flames Ice Hockey club president Trevor Lawrence was in the crowd with family and friends to see the Ice Fernz play Australia a week earlier, in one of the tournaments’ tightly fought battles.

“Being there watching the Ice Fernz with the sellout crowd of more than 1800 at the Dunedin Ice Stadium was a highlight of my 20 plus years in New Zealand,’’ he said.

“I have watched a lot of hockey in my life - originally I’m from hockey town Toronto, Canada - however, Ice Fernz versus Kangaroos for the top of the table in the 2025 IIHF [International Ice Hockey Federations] Division 2B World Ice Hockey Championships was one to remember.

“The women displayed some world class talent, the game went into overtime and ended in a shootout.’’

Despite the Kiwi team coming up one goal short, the Flames Ice Hockey Club in Alexandra was “very proud of the team”, Trevor said.

“We are looking forward to getting our own rink open this week so that we can gear up and try to emulate some of the great play that was on display.”

Trevor said for him the tournament will be talked about in the same light as the Women's Rugby World Cup 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

The Ice Fernz team played well throughout the week-long tournament but by the finals fatigue was evident on the ice, and neither them nor Turkey managed to find the back of the net in the game’s first period.

It was Turkey who struck first in the second, breaking the deadlock and putting pressure on the Fernz.

New Zealand however, found their rhythm thanks to the relentless effort of Katya Blong, a standout all tournament. 

She got NZ on the board, assisted by Anjali Mulari, tying the game 1-1.

The breakthrough came midway through the third period when Jasmine Horner-Pascoe scored off a feed from Kellye Nelson, giving the Ice Fernz their first lead of the night.

Turkey struck back quickly, making it 2-2 with minutes to go.

With the pressure mounting and silver hanging in the balance, it was Blong who came through it score her second goal of the night, assisted by Jaime Jones and Kellye Nelson.

The final buzzer sounded confirming New Zealand’s silver medal finish in the tournament. Australia claimed gold, undefeated through the week, while Ukraine rounded out the podium with bronze.

The last time the team won silver in this tournament was in Romania in 2019, and in South Africa in 2023 they came third. In 2024 in Turkey they placed fourth and in 2021 and 2022 the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Locally, a new women's ice hockey team was formed last year with regular Saturday games played and an inclusive welcoming culture. 

Some of the Flames women ice hockey players together with travelling team Canadian Moose last August. PHOTO: Supplied

For more information about the Flames women’s team contact: [email protected]

Ice sports lovers are counting down the days with facilities in both Alexandra and the Maniototo due to open soon. 

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