Ice Fernz Claim Silver In Gritty Battle Against Turkey

The Ice Fernz capped off a phenomenal campaign at the IIHF Women’s World Championship Division II Group B in Dunedin with a 3-2 victory over Turkey, securing the silver medal in front of a proud home crowd.

It was a slow burner of a match, with both teams clearly feeling the effects of a demanding week-long tournament. Fatigue was evident on the ice, and neither side managed to find the back of the net in the first period. It was Turkey who struck first in the second, finally breaking the deadlock and putting pressure on the Fernz.

New Zealand, however, found their rhythm thanks to the relentless effort of #19 Katya Blong, who has been a standout all tournament. She got New Zealand on the board, assisted by #7 Anjali Mulari, tying the game at 1-1.

The breakthrough came midway through the third period when #23 Jasmine Horner-Pascoe scored off a feed from #22 Kellye Nelson, giving the Ice Fernz their first lead of the night. But Turkey weren’t done yet—they struck back quickly, making it 2-2 with just minutes to go.

With the pressure mounting and silver hanging in the balance, it was Blong again who came through in the clutch. Her second goal of the night—assisted by #9 Jaime Jones and Nelson—sealed the deal for the Kiwis.

The final buzzer sounded with the scoreboard reading 3-2, confirming New Zealand’s silver medal finish in the tournament. Australia claimed gold, undefeated through the week, while Ukraine rounded out the podium with bronze.

It was a memorable campaign for the Ice Fernz, marked by resilience, grit, and standout performances—none more consistent or impactful than that of Katya Blong.

Final Standings:

Australia

New Zealand

Ukraine

A proud moment for New Zealand women’s ice hockey and an exciting signal for what’s to come.President of the IIHF, Luc Tardif, summed up the spirit of the event perfectly, stating:

“The real winner of this successful tournament, was International Women’s hockey.”

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