Ice Hockey Thrills

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29853, 20 June 1962, Page 13

Ice Hockey Thrills

TVIE New Zealand-Over-x seas match last Sunday at Cashmere’s indoor rink provided a degree of excitement that explains why ice hockey has become known as one of the fastest, roughest and most entertaining team games in the world.

Not only was the match thoroughly worth watching —quite apart from the numerous incidents—but the organising sports body gave spectators more than their money's worth with compe-tently-executed exhibitions before and after the game and during the intervals. Group waltzing and pair skating, figure and free skating, speed skating and jumping were all demonstrated to the delight of a packed stadium. I. McDonald, of Christchurch, showed some of the skill which has helped to build up a huge collection of trophies and prizes for figure and free skating championships in New Zealand; his most spectacular feat was a high leap and splits after the style of a Cossack dancer. I. Paul took the palm for

speed, co-ordination and courage with an incredible broad jump over 10 barrels placed side by side. He had little chance to work up real speed in the confined space of the indoor rink and came to grief with a frightening crash when he landed on the last of 11 barrels, attempting to outdo his previous performance. The organisation of officials—with the recording of every incident in the hockey match—and a public address system which provided useful information on movements and scorers, was first class. The next fixture of importance in Christchurch will be the play-off between the International team and the Richmond Tigers' team for the right to represent Canterbury in the national Erewhon Cup contest later in the season.

International, which is the present holder of the cup, is favoured to win the match next Monday evening. The winner will play a southern team at Lake Tekapo for the South Island elimination of the serjes