After Stampede took out both games in Dunedin, but Admirals topped defending champions Red Devils, Canterbury travel down to Dunedin to get their title defense on the road, and the Swarm who sat idle take on an impressive Stampede team in Auckland. How's everyone going to go?

I'm picking both series to be split, but Swarm and Thunder to win the first games.

Picking the Stampede over the Swarm, but will be close
And picking the Thunder over the Devils, once again close

Stampede and Red Devils for me.

not sure about the swarm v stampede.  Would just be guessing having not seen either and only having results from one team.  Devils v Thunder is a coin toss I think.  Total fence sitting but I'm glad I have that option this year.  Not a two horse race anymore.

1 each up north

Devils more than likely win both games

Swarm win first game and Thunder is currently leading 3-0 after 2 periods in Dunedin.

4-3 OT win for Thunder

That was Fantastic. OT just to make it interesting

Awesome!

Any better info on the Dunedin game?

From my unbiased position in the stands....

The thunder came out physical and this put the devils on the back foot. they were woried on the boads about getting hit in a solid check, they the Devils did not have time on the puck and control of it through the neutal zone into attack. it showed in there play and lack of penetration to the Thunders goal

The thunder however had all the time in the world. the game looked as if it was played one step or even two slower than the Stampede games last wkend. They had time to orgnise there offence and transistion through the neutral zone and into attack. they set up camp a number of times on the Devils goal and while not always paying off with a goal from the stands it was pleasing to see the game being played at the right end of the rink.

Some slick move from P Heyd proved the difference in the game but he had support only 3 sticks on his out side to help keep the Devils gessing

The third period came unstuck for 1:12 with 2 very quick goals nicly worked with a hit that the devils might just click. A timeout to settle the Thunder boys was called. proving decisive.  the devils came back latter for another goal to tie the game up and really put some acid on the home team. A waved off goal on near full time which was really a 50/50 call from my unbiased set in the house could of been the game winner.

Lets go to OT!!! a good part of the cowd got up and started to leave not awear of the change of rules. One good shift by the devils almost stole the victory for them but the local crowd started to lift and cheer and holler the boys on. they settled and attacked the devils again and again. a top right slot in the net shortly after and the Victory was THUNDERS.  the bench cleared the sticks gloves and helmets littered the rink and a rather large man Monment occoured in front of the Devils goal. But with so much pressure on them for a expectant win the Monkey has been booted to touch and they were stating celebrations early.

Thanks to the team for saluting the crowd we got as much from the game as you. Please don't celebrate too hard we are all back for round two tonight.   

Funny Moment in the game provided by the Refs.

The thunder pulled a half shift with 6 men on the Ice. The Devils started shouting 6 men there supporters were shouting six men. the thunder bench was yelling to pull one of there boys from the ice before getting a penalty. the noise was crazy! The thunder at that point were well and truly camped in the devils zone.Extra man advantage. Once the thunder had removed there extra man from the ice. Hell if they could of reached out and yanked him back they would of. The ref next time play stoped reminded teams of the 5 man rule that we should be playing by. everyone nodded on the thunder bench. they Dodged that one!!!

Thanks Ref's for being blind for 30 seconds and shutting out the screams of the players and supporters.

Photos from Auckland G7 BSW Vs STP and BSW Initiation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzihf/collections/72157624137208457/

Photos from 2010 NZIHL will be published on this flickr site

3 to 2 to the devils at the end of the 1st in game 2 in Dunedin.