The NZIHL has ramped up it's preseason with some key matchups as cross town rivals the West Auckland Admirals and the Botany Swarm meet each other in two epic matchups just a mere 10 days apart. There is no love lost with these two clubs and these matchups will be key to test themselves and gauge thier chances to make it to the year end Grand Final.
The BHL ties into these two clubs as well as five BHLers are represented on these two clubs.
West Auckland Admirals will be in search of their 3rd NZIHL finals appearance and will have a few new faces this season. Speedy forward Sam Pillidge (Les Pylones) will return to the offensive attack, while new comer and Alex Isik Award winner (BHL'S Top Defenceman) Jono Pol will make his NZIHL debut. The West Auckland club will be lead by current assistant coach / defenceman Justin Daigle who comes into this NZIHL season fresh after a successful summer in which he claimed the 2015 BHL's Priceless Impact Performer of the Year Award and helped guide the expansion Toe Dragons to their 1st BHL Championship in their inaugural season.
The Botany Swarm come into the 2015 campaign shooting for the stars and looking to capture thier record 5th NZIHL title. The BHL's Arlo Hill Award winner (Top Goaltender) Michael Hopkinson returns to the crease for the Swarm. Hoppy posted terrific numbers this summer, boasting a stellar 10-2 record, falling just 2 votes shy of winning the BHL's Impact Performer of the Year and in the process backstopped the Iceholes to thier first ever Founder's Cup Trophy(Most Points - Team). The Botany club will also feature the NZIHL debut of BHL Playoff MVP and 2015 Backyard Cup Champion, forward Maxim Kaluhzny (Toe Dragons). Max capped off his BHL season by burying the overtime winner in game 3 of the 2015 Backyard Cup Finals to clinch the silver chalice. The sniper will look to continue his clutch play and timely scoring touch on a much larger scale this winter for the Swarm. A challenge he is looking forward to meeting head on in his rookie campaign for the Botany club
The Botany Swarm got the better of the West Auckland Admirals 6-5 in the opening preseason game Tuesday night at Avondale ... With all 5 BHLers in action !!
You now have the chance to show our boys your support by winning two tickets to the rematch Thursday, May 28th @ the Botany Forum.
In order to win you must "score a hat trick"
1) You must LIKE the new BHL Facebook Page
2) Choose a number between 1 - 100 *In Case of a tie*,
3) Answer the following BHL Trivia Question correctly ....
In the Inaugural BHL Season (2013-2014) there were just 2 BHLers on NZIHL Rosters .... Michael Hopkinson is one of them ...
Name the other BHLer & the Team he played for .......
*Hint* He is a Backyard Cup Champion
Private Message - Your Hat Trick Entry and you could be a winner !!!!
*WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY NIGHT (May 26th*
