Inline hockey team wins national champs

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Nelson’s Inline Hockey team are national champions after an overtime win in Hamilton last week.

Nelson Whalers won the senior men’s grade at nationals.

Goalie Sean McShea won MVP goalie of the tournament, while Vinnie Fuller won MVP player of the grade.

The Whalers got off to a tough start, playing the first nine minutes of their first pool match without their star goalie, who was late due to a flight delay.  The score was 2-2 when Sean arrived, but once he went in goal the Nelson side ran out 11-7 winners.

Nelson then beat New Plymouth Ravens 9-1, Manawatu 8-2 and Rimutaka Renegades 5-2 to remain undefeated heading into the semi-final. There, the Whalers beat the Hamilton Devils 4-2.
In the final Nelson played Mount Wellington Panthers, the team they beat 11-7 on day one of the tournament. But it took them until over-time to beat them a second time, 8-7.

Alethea Stove says the win was fantastic. “It’s certainly the biggest result in recent times. We are the only South Island team so we have to be pretty committed to keep travelling up north. We’re delighted.”