The Wakatipu Wild women’s ice hockey captain is one of six locals representing the New Zealand Ice Fernz fat the IIHF Division 2, Group B world champs, being played in Dunedin.
Nelson, 37, scored two of her team’s four goals — including their first — during the Fernz’ opening match against Ukraine on Monday night.
She found the back of the netalmost 15 minutes into the first period, assisted by the national team’s alternative captain Anjali Mulari (Auckland).
The Kiwis were up 2-1 at the end of the second period, but Ukraine came out firing in the third, scoring two unanswered goals before Nelson, assisted by Rebecca Lilly (Dunedin) and Jaime Jones (Auckland), evened the score.
With the score tied at the end of regulation time, the Fernz took the win in overtime, thanks to a goal from Katya Blong (Auckland/Canada).
On Tuesday night, they beatBelgium, 3-1 — Cantabrian Hannah Shields’ goal was assisted by Wild players Gabby Mills and Caitlin Hollyer, while Nelson and Caitlin ‘Judy’ Heale assisted Jasmine Horner-Pascoe (Auckland).
Other Queenstowners suiting up for the Fernz this week are Gracie Hellmrich and assistant captain Hope Gregory; Rebecca Dobson and Madison Hooper are the team’s GM and medic, respectively.
The Fernz play Hong Kong, China tonight, Australia on Saturday and Turkey on Sunday — puck drop for all games is 8pm; games are streamed live via nzicehockey.tv
