The Australia mens team showed that they were here to win, racking up an impressive 15-2 scoreline against a very tired Chinese team, with Peter Cartwright picking up a hattrick. Coach Vlad Rubes said the game plan was to get an early lead, and that plan obviously worked out, given the size of the scoreline it is always hard to criticise any performance, but he suggested that in the second period the Australians were guilty of trying to do much, which let the Chinese in for their two goals. Although he was pleased with the way the boys regrouped to finish strongly, since they are well aware that the Ice Blacks are no longer the easy beats they once were, and they are prepared for a much more physical game.

Although the final score was pretty one-sided the first ten minutes was pretty even with play flowing back and forth, although it was the Australians who were getting more scoring opportunities, and the deadlock was broken when (9) Scott Corbett snuck a shot in from a very tight angle that was lost by most players on the ice until it was spotted in the back of the net. Both (11) Cass Delsar and Brian Bales picking up goals high over the Chinese goaltenders glove hand. The score at the end of the first period was 3-0.

The Australians opened the scoring in the second period through Scott Levitt, which was quickly followed by a rocket from the hash marks by Scott Corbett that blasted past the Chinese goaltender. Peter Cartwright picked up the 6th Australian goal on a 3-0. The ease at which goals where coming seemed to cause Australia to lose its shape, and the Chinese capitilised scoring 2 quick goals, the first to 4 Wang Ziye, and the second on a give and go in front of the net by Liu Wei. Then the Chinese picked up a 10 minute misconduct for improper equipment, as the player was skating round with his visor up too high. This followed the pre-tournament debrief they would be hard on this, and both teams had received warnings in the second period. This seemed to settle the Australians who added 3 more goals with through (15) Scott Stephenson, (10) Scott Thauwald, and (7) Jason Bachlig. Near the end of the 2nd period the Chinese goaltender Liu Zhiwei started to show signs that his right arm was bothering him, it was elected to keep him playing despite obvious discomfort. The Second period ended 9-2.

While the third period belonged to Australia the real story was young Jaimee Wood, a 16 year kiwi girl who was put into the game after Cartwright scored on Zhiwei. It was a shame to see Zhiwei leave as he really was an energetic entertaining goaltender to watch. Despite her age, young Wood did not look scared at performed well facing 17 shots, unfortunately by this stage the Chinese defence was out on their feet and the Australians were plundered a further 5 goals through Bachlig, Andrew Belic (2 more), Cartwright, Cass Delsar. All of young Wood?s saves were meet with loud cheers by the Chinese who appreciated her efforts in helping them out.

So with both NZ and Australia posting big scores against the weakened Chinese team (who in their last encounter with Australia went down only 1-0), tomorrow?s game between them will decide who gets automatic qualification through to the final. It is expected to be a very physical battle, puck drops at 7pm.