Northland men's player Andrew Scanlon. Photo / John Stone
Northland men's player Andrew Scanlon. Photo / John Stone
The Capital Men have won this year's Ford National Hockey League final at the Whangarei ITM Hockey Centre after beating the Southern Dogs in a stunning extra-time shootout.
They won the Challenge Shield with a 4-3 shootout result after the score was level nil-all at full time, the outcome indicativeof a fierce battle.
Wet conditions slowed play on the turf and the game became a defensive battle, with neither side able to put the ball into the back of the net.
The second half saw some high-quality, end-to-end hockey as the Cobras and Dogs searched for a game-winning blow, but the stalemate on the scoreboard at the end of regulation time sent the result to shootout.
Southern captain Blair Tarrant scooped the Men's Most Valuable Player award for his superb performance throughout the tournament, while Canterbury Cavaliers defender Nick Haig locked up the men's top goal scorer award with eight, including seven penalty corners and one penalty stroke.
In other finals day results, Midlands won the women's bronze medal in a 7-4 win over the Canterbury Cats.
Captain Sam Charlton nabbed a hat-trick, while Arnica Palmer, Shiloh Gloyn, Gemma Flynn and Amy Robinson also scored. Olivia Merry notched a double for Canterbury, with Catherine Tinning and Jenny Storey adding.
In the men's bronze medal game, Auckland came away with a hard-fought 3-2 result over Midlands. Nic Woods opened the scoring for Midlands in the ninth minute before Joe Crooks equalised two minutes from half-time. Midlands grabbed the lead again but Simon Child ensured third place for Auckland with goals in the 42nd and 47th minutes.
North Harbour Women defeated the Central Mysticks 5-0 to place fifth, while Capital cruised past Southern Storm 5-0 to finish seventh.
The Canterbury Cavaliers scored three second-half goals to defeat North Harbour 3-2 and finish fifth, while the Central Mavericks were untroubled in a 5-1 result over Northland to place seventh.
In the National Senior Tournament, the Canterbury Barracudas took out the women's title after disposing of Northland in the final. They beat Northland 3-1 with a Samara Dalziel double and a third goal from Katie Austin. Ella-Rose Kini scored Northland's only goal in the first half.
