DUNEDIN, New Zealand – New Zealand won the 2009 IIHF World Championship Division III on home ice in Dunedin with little resistance.
The team is known for performing their traditional Haka dance before the first face-off. And it’s exactly what they did after the closing ceremony with the gold medals around their necks.
The New Zealanders defeated Luxembourg (6-2), Turkey (8-2), Greece (4-3 OT) and Ireland (9-0). The host dominated its opponents in every aspect and was only on the edge of a defeat against Greece despite 47-15 shots on goal.
The biggest question was name of the second promoted team. The answer was found in the game between Turkey and Luxembourg.
Alper Solak scored two goals early in the first and second period respectively and after two Turkish shorthanders and the 4-0 scored midway through the game, the Turks were on the safe side to win the game 7-4 and to get the silver.
Luxembourg won the bronze medal ahead of Greece and Ireland. Mongolia had to forfeit all games. The team didn’t show up due to visa problems.
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