Ice Fernz Push Australia To The Brink In Shootout Thriller At A Sold-Out Dunedin Ice Stadium

In front of a roaring sell-out crowd at the Dunedin Ice Stadium, the Ice Fernz gave everything they had in a pulse-pounding showdown against rivals Australia at the IIHF Women’s World Championship Division II Group B. In a game filled with heart, grit, and edge-of-your-seat drama, New Zealand fought back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime before ultimately falling 4-3 in a shootout.

The opening period was a high-tempo, physical battle as both teams tested each other but couldn’t find the net. Goaltenders Grace Harrison (NZL) and her Australian counterpart stood tall, with the raucous crowd fueling every block, poke-check, and line change.

In the second period, it was New Zealand who broke the deadlock. Jaime Jones (#9) opened the scoring with a brilliant wristshot, assisted by Katya Blong (#19) and Jasmine Horner-Pascoe (#23), sending the home crowd into a frenzy. But the joy was short-lived.

Australia responded with clinical precision, notching three goals in the space of two minutes. It was a brutal reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in ice hockey. Heading into the final period, the Australians held a 3-1 lead—the most dangerous lead in hockey.

But the Ice Fernz weren’t done.

With the home crowd chanting at full volume, New Zealand clawed one back early in the third. Blong (#19) found the back of the net off a feed from Jones, narrowing the gap. Then, with under two minutes on the clock and every fan on their feet, Horner-Pascoe delivered again, tying the game 3-3 with assists from Anjali Mulari (#7) and the ever-present Jones. The building erupted.

Overtime came and went with both teams throwing everything at each other, but neither could break the deadlock.

In the shootout, Australia’s Christina Julien (#8) was the lone scorer, sliding the puck past Harrison to secure the win and a vital extra point for the Aussies.

Despite the shootout loss, the Ice Fernz earned a critical point and remain very much in medal contention. Australia now sits atop the standings with 11 points, followed by New Zealand with 9, and Ukraine close behind on 7. With one more day of games to go, the battle for gold, silver, and bronze is still wide open.

Scorers for New Zealand:

#9 Jaime Jones (Assist: #19 Katya Blong, #23 Jasmine Horner-Pascoe)

#19 Katya Blong (Assist: #9 Jaime Jones)

#23 Jasmine Horner-Pascoe (Assist: #7 Anjali Mulari, #9 Jaime Jones)

Goaltender:

#25 Grace Harrison (NZL)

As the dust settles on an unforgettable night of hockey, one thing is clear: this team has the hearts of the nation, and Dunedin fans are right there with them. All eyes now turn to the final day of play, where dreams of a podium finish remain alive.

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