NSW PeeWees Win Gold

Photo: 2010 Gold Medal Ginsberg Team

IHNSW (State Press) - After what can only be described as a gruelling round robin series, the NSW peewees found themselves in 2nd position after losing 2-0 to Victoria. This meant NSW would play QLD in the semi-finals, and WA would be matched up against Vic. Coach Dawn Watt said "I was in two minds about who I wanted to play in the Grand Final. I was concerned about the mental aspect of playing Vic, having lost to them in the round robin ... but I had thought all along that WA was the stronger, faster team." NSW defeated QLD by a score of 3-2, and WA pulled off a huge upset, beating VIC 3-0.

After an afternoon of resting and mental preparation, the NSW team was pumped up and ready to come out firing. So too, however, was WA, who ended up leading 1-0 after the first period. Half way through the second, Cameron Smith found the net to tie the game at 1 goal each. This is the way the score was to stay for the remainder of the game and through 2 sudden death overtime periods. Goaltender Nick Mizen was in the net for NSW in the shootout and stopped all three of WA's shooters. NSW second shooter, defenseman Tyerell Clare, triumphed with a deke and backhand shot to secure the gold medal for NSW.

The NSW team also was awarded the Fair Play Trophy for least penalty minutes in the tournament. MVP for NSW was Cameron Smith.