Game #2 of the TTCL was between the Newcastle North Stars and the Botany Swarm, and a completely game to the first.

The Swarm, mostly made up of New Zealand’s men’s senior team players, were on Newcastle’s case from the first puck drop, proving to be much tougher competition than the Stampede were to the Ice.

The first period was quick, with quick end-to-end play from both teams and quick line changes to maximise the pressure they put on each other.

Jeremy Boyer drew the first blood for the North Stars five minutes into the first period, assisted by Brian Bales and Dave Ferrari who had a noticeable game, checking hard on the Swarm players and not making many friends on the ice from it.

It was the first goal that made a hat-trick to Boyer, who totalled five points from the game including assists.

The first period was a credit to the goalies; for the North Stars, Olivier Martin and for the Swarm, Zak Nothling, both making some incredible saves that at times seemed impossible to be made.

Martin faced 17 shots to yield no goals in the first while Nothling faced eight to give up one.

Six minutes into the second period, the Swarm’s Ian Wannamaker evened the game 1-1.
Kicking it into high gear, Bales and Boyer finished the second with two goals for the North Stars to lead 3-1.

The North Stars fourth goal and Boyer’s third of the night came 14 minutes into the final period, much to Nothling’s despair, who just shook his head in disbelief of not getting a touch on it.

Following a penalty on the Swarm for too many men on the ice, North Stars captain Ray Sheffield took the game to 5-1 then Beau Taylor assisted by Bales and Boyer took it to 6-1.

The final four minutes were the Swarms.

Lyle Idoine managed to jam the puck between Martin’s leg pad and the post to secure the Swarm’s second goal, followed by KC Ball with their third, but it wasn’t a big enough comeback to win, the North Stars taking out the game 6-3.

By the end of the game Martin had face 30 shots for three goals while Nothling faced 37 to yield six.

Nothling earned the Swarm’s man of the match while defenseman Rob Lawrance was named for Newcastle.