South Africa’s senior men’s ice hockey team finished in third place behind Turkmenistan and winners Chinese Taipei, at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division III Group A senior men’s world championship, at GrandWest, at the weekend.
Team SA got their campaign off to a good start, beating Turkmenistan 9-6 in their opening fixture but then lost 9-6 and 6-1 to Turkmenistan and the in-form Chinese Taipei respectively.
The hosts bounced back in their final outing against Luxembourg whom they beat 4-0 in their final match to give the home crowd something to cheer about.
The tournament was the final edition of three world championships hosted at the same venue this year. The competition also featured Thailand, Turkmenistan and overall winners Chinese Taipei.
In February, the women’s world championships took place, followed by the under-18 world championships in March.
Members of the South African ice hockey team celebrate victory against Luxembourg in their final match played at the IIHF Division III Group A senior men’s world championships, at GrandWest, on Sunday. Following defeats in their previous two matches, South Africa finished off on a high note, winning 4-0 against Luxembourg to take third place overall in the competition. The competition also featured Thailand, Turkmenistan and overall winners Chinese Taipei. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKSouth Africa’s Delano Schuurman and Luxemborg’s Pit Sinner collides during their sides’ clash at the IIHF Division III Group A senior men’s world championships, at GrandWest, on Sunday. Final score: South Africa 4 Luxembourg 0. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKSouth Africa’s Jean-Michel van Doesburgh and Luxembourg’s Thierry Beran chase after the puck during their sides’ final fixture at IIHF Division III Group A senior men’s world championships, at GrandWest, on Sunday. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKSouth Africa’s Reinhard Venter stays ahead of his marker during his side’s 4-0 win against Luxemborg. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKSouth Africa’s Deen Magmoed being congratulated by his teammates after winning the player of the tournament award. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKSA senior men’s ice hockey captain, Uthmaan Samaai, collects the trophy on behalf of the squad who finished in third place overall. PICTURE: FUAD ESACKLuxembourg defence being put to the test by a relentless onslaught on goal by the SA side during Sunday’s final IIHF Division III Group A senior men’s world championships match, at GrandWest Arena. Picture: Fuad Esack