Hockey: Series won, now NZ aim to keep the big record

The New Zealand men's hockey team want to leave Levin with their record intact.

New Zealand have already clinched the five-test series against Canada, with only tests in Levin and Wellington remaining.

But they have never lost to Canada, and they want to keep it that way.

New Zealand coach Kevin Towns said he was mindful of keeping the record intact at Levin tomorrow.

Towns is using the Canadian series to help select a squad for the Champions Challenge in South Africa in July, and said Canada were providing sturdy opposition.

"While Canada are ranked below us and have never beaten New Zealand many of the games have been close," he said.

The first test was a 4-1 drubbing, and the second a comfortable 3-1 win.

But the the third test, in Napier on Wednesday night, was much closer.

New Zealand had to come behind after going 2-0 down.

They rallied to win 3-2 at the whistle after goalkeeper Kyle Pontifeu had kept them in the hunt with some fine saves.

New Zealand are ranked ninth in the world and Canada are 17th.

New Zealand: Mitesh Patel, David Kosoof, Darren Smith, Wayne McIndoe, Dion Gosling, Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins, Casey Henwood, Ryan Archibald, Umesh Parag, Bevan Hari, Paul Woolford, Kyle Pontifex, Phillip Burrows, Hayden Shaw, James Nation, Bryce Collins, Lloyd Stephenson, Peter Stafford.

Canada: Michael Mahood, Mike Oliver, Robin D'Abreo, Steve Davis, Micheal Lee, Ravi Kahlon, Ken Perreira, Wayne Fernandes, Peter Short, Dave Jameson, Rob Short, Ronnie Jagday, Sean Campbell, Scott Sandison, Connor Grimes, Paul Wettlaufer, Ranjeev Deol, Jon MacKinnon.

- NZPA