HOCKEY TASMANIA Online

The Queensland Blades and SmokeFree WA Thundersticks will battle it out for the 2007 AHL title after both recorded strong wins to power through to tomorrow's play off.

Nomination forms for the U21 Men's & Women's State Teams and U16SSA Boys' Team are now available.

The minor round of the Fast 'n' Furious AHL wound up on Thursday night with the jostling for ladder positions coming down to the very last match between the SmokeFree WA Thundersticks and NSW Waratahs.

In front of a home crowd the Thundersticks overcame a rampant Waratahs outfit to qualify for Saturday's semi-finals along with the Queensland Blades, Victoria Vikings and the MIA Tassie Tigers who were all winners in the last round of the season.

Results on day two of the Fast 'n' Furious AHL Finals Week have seen more movement up and down the ladder, setting up a super day of action on the last round of the tournament, Thursday.

The MIA Tassie Tigers were knocked off the top of the national men's hockey league ladder when they went down 2-3 to the Victorian Vikings in Perth yesterday.

The Wrest Point Van Demons have drafted their third New Zealand international for the final week of the national league women’s hockey season starting in Brisbane next Monday.
Wellington goalie Beth Jurgeleit, who has played 36 Tests, arrived in Hobart yesterday to join New Zealand teammates Emily Naylor and Stacey Carr for next week’s finale.

Day One of the Fast 'n' Furious AHL Finals Week, in Perth, has ended with some big changes on the points table.

The Queensland Blades have moved to top spot, followed closely by the SmokeFree WA Thundersticks and Victoria Vikings, after all three teams scored convincing wins. Meanwhile, the MIA Tassie Tigers, NSW Waratahs and Northern Territory Stingers have lost their favourable positions high on the ladder after some heavy losses.

Hockey Tasmania’s Officiating Development Programme received a boost yesterday, with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with Eyelines Tasmania.

The MIA Tassie Tigers shared the honours with the NSW Waratahs, losing the first match 2 – 5, but rebounding to defeat the Waratahs 3-2 in extra time.

The Wrest Point Van Demons remain in the top four despite losing both matches to the NSW Arrows.

MIA Tassie Tiger's Captain, Matthew Wells, created an enthusiastic impression when he visited several Primary Schools in Launceson recently.

Playing host to some of Australia’s top hockey players this weekend is a big coup for the hockey community in Circular Head.
But Smithton Turf president Michael Buckby said that Australian Hockey League games on Saturday and Sunday were also recognition of a major investment in the game over many years.