Hockey: Three provinces eye NHL double

Ben Collier returns to Central. Photo / Photosport

Ten years ago Auckland won both the men's and women's National Hockey League titles. That feat repeated two years later by Wellington, now Capital, but not since.

Three associations have the chance of pulling off the difficult double as the Ford NHL ends at the National Hockey Centre in Wellington this weekend with Auckland, Midlands and Central all represented in both sets of semifinals today.

Surprisingly, neither North Harbour or Canterbury - teams who have had their share of success in recent years - are still alive in either competition after disappointing displays.

North Harbour have been hit by the "state of origin" ruling which has allowed players to return to their original teams but given the strength of the game in the Harbour region it has been a sub-par effort from the teams coached by Bryce Collins (women) and Greg Fittelii (men).

Auckland will fancy their chances - and neither team has won for the past six years - after bold showings both in lead-up games and through pool play this week.

In early July they beat Capital 2-1 in a friendly and backed that with a 4-1 win over the early pacesetters in the last pool match on Thursday. They go into this afternoon's second semifinal against Midlands with some trepidation however, having lost to Darren Smith's team 4-3 in a friendly last month.

Capital lost to Midlands by the same score pre-season but will fancy their chances of reaching tomorrow's final when they tackle Central in this morning's early semifinal.

Central, bolstered by North Harbour regulars Ben Collier and Nick Wilson - under the "origin" rule - have done well this week and could be ready to break their drought and get their hands on the Challenge Shield - one of, if not the, biggest trophies in New Zealand sport.

The women's semifinals promise to be tight.

Central eventually regained top spot in pool play after a midweek hiccup but were still only a point ahead of Auckland and Northland, with Midlands two points back in claiming the final semifinal spot.

In pre-season matches Auckland beat all the other semifinalists including a 4-0 win over Central, 2-1 over today's opponent Northland and Midlands 2-1 and 2-0.

The revamped NHL has been a goalfest with the goal tally since the league's inception now over 3000.

The decision to insist on all Olympic hopefuls returning to play has lifted the overall standard and made for some close games.

National League

Semifinals, today, Wellington

Women: Central v Midlands, 11.30am, Auckland v Northland, 3.30pm.

Men: Auckland v Midlands, 1.30pm, Capital v Central, 9.30am.