Teams to try out new rules

By Cameron Leslie

Northern Advocate·

29 Aug, 2014 06:00 PM3 mins to read

TODAY is the start of a double header for Northland's men's and women's representative hockey teams, as they hit the Northland Hockey Centre this afternoon before heading to Auckland tomorrow.

However, when hockey fans turn out today to watch the Northland teams face North Harbour, expect to see a different type of hockey.

International rule changes have meant that today's first round of the National Hockey League (NHL) will be played in four 15-minute quarters rather than the traditional two 35-minute halves.

The Mark Cromie Holden Northland women will have first crack at the new rules when they play North Harbour at 12pm, not that it is worrying coach Angeline Waetford.

Waetford was a little frustrated the rule changes had been in a way sprung on them but wasn't fussed, saying it was still about doing a job and winning.

"I'm not unhappy with it. I think three weeks is not enough, and particularly they did it after you'd selected your team - who knows you may have chosen to pick more attacking players," she said.

However, what was done was done and Waetford was taking a practical view to the news.

"Just get on with it. I certainly gave them feedback on how I felt, and they'll just say everyone is in the same boat."

The rule changes, which officially come into play on September 1, come courtesy of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) which stipulated that all territories adapt them.

New Zealand players and fans are getting a taste of the new format in the NHL.

Rule changes aside, Waetford is confident her team can replicate their form from 2012 that saw them finish fourth - the highest the Northland women's team has finished.

Helping Waetford's confidence is the return of Black Sticks Stacey Michelsen and Brooke Neal, who will rejoin London Olympics teammates Ella Gunson and Alana Millington.

Also in the fold are former Black Sticks Jasmin McQuinn and Laura Douglas, who will team up with two international guest players in the form of Esther Hotham and Maddison Rosser, both from New South Wales' winning under-21 side.

For the Northland men's team, it will be a former representative trying to trip up his old team in the form of Mike Delany.

The Northland men's team, though, boasts a mixture of experience and youth which will be on its side this afternoon.

The team includes Northland 100 cap veterans Sam Webb and Dion Watts being joined by newcomers Harrison Lamb and James Houston.

International guest players are Joshua Mynott and Matthew Argent from Queensland.

The Northland teams face Auckland tomorrow at 12pm and 2pm.

Northland Women: Nicola Howes, Elley Miller, Jess Macalister, Alicia Jurisich, Samantha Polovnikoff, Jodie Nichol, Maddison Rosser, Stacey Michelsen, Jasmin McQuinn, Ella Gunson, Laura Douglas, Jane Thomson, Teuila Wendt, Brooke Neal, Carli Michelsen, Esther Hotham, Alana Millington, Karen Parker.

Northland Men: Adam Rafferty, Brad Pitman, Chad Chahalane, James Houston, Lloyd Gurr, Sam Webb, Steve Nink, Dion Watts, James Watene, Sean Laidlaw, Garrick Hately, Harrison Lamb, Rowan Yeo, Zach Staples, Jackson Humphries, Alecz Day, Joshua Mynott, Matthew Argent.