Shootout heartbreak on the ice in battle of the states

Canterbury ice hockey players made up a quarter of the NSW team as they vied for the national title in Melbourne on the weekend.

Canterbury Ice Hockey players Jarrod Callaghan, Mackenzie Bolger, Alex Bu, Connor Wardlaw and Brendan Kleipas made up one quarter of the NSW team that competed in the Ginsberg trophy in Melbourne. Picture: Christopher Chan.

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Canterbury ice hockey players made up a quarter of the NSW team as they vied for the national title in Melbourne on the weekend.

Five members of the Canterbury club were chosen from 47 players for the state peewees’ side, which is made up of players aged 11-13.

After six encounters on the rink, the NSW peewees came fourth in the Ginsberg Trophy.

Last year, the team came away with gold, but NSW peewees manager Karen Jones said two penalty shootouts against WA proved “devastating” this time around.

“The competition was good,” Ms Jones said.

“It was exciting but very nervewracking.”

Day one of the competition started well for NSW.

The team beat ACT and QLD before falling in a penalty shootout to WA.

After another win against SA, NSW versed their nemesis WA again in the semi finals.

They suffered the same fate, losing 3-2 in their second shootout for the competition.

“It was a really tight game ... but that’s what happens,” Ms Jones said.

WA won gold in the major final against Victoria.

Despite the result, Ms Jones said the young team “had a ball”.

“The competition was quite stressful, but they still had time to muck around and have some fun.”

The five Canterbury players included Mackenzie Bolger, Alex Bu, Jarrod Callaghan, Brendan Kleipas and Connor Wardlaw.

The Ginsberg Trophy was played from August 11-14 at the O’Brien Group Arena, Docklands.