Canterbury Cats player Issy Story looks toward goal against Wellington. Photo: Geoff Soper Photography

Ahead of September’s all-important National Hockey Championship, Canterbury started their season with promising signs, retaining the Ōtautahi Cup.

Defending national champions the Canterbury Cats completed a perfect start to their campaign with three wins across the three-day cup tournament at the weekend.

Jaimee Eades managed two goals in the team’s first match, a 3-0 win over the Canterbury Barracuda on Friday.

The Cats were able to hold on for a 2-1 win against Wellington, after scoring two field goals in the first half.

It was a similar game against Otago on Sunday, with the Cats leading 2-0 by the end of the last quarter. Despite a late goal by Otago, the Canterbury women’s A side held on to win 2-1.

Canterbury retained the Otautahi Cup ahead of next month's National Hockey Championship. Photo: Geoff Soper Photography

Meanwhile, their partner team, the Canterbury Cavaliers, recorded mixed results in the men’s grade.

They had a flying start to the tournament with a 4-1 win over B-side the Canterbury Beavers.

A hard-fought 1-1 draw against Wellington followed on Saturday, with the match decided by shootouts. None of the Wellington attackers were able to put the ball past goalkeeper George Enerson, with Canterbury prevailing 3-0.

Canterbury Cavaliers captain Brad Shaw looks for passing options during their 4-3 loss to Otago. Photo: Geoff Soper Photography

Despite a 4-3 loss against reigning national champions Otago, the Cavaliers had done enough to retain the Ōtautahi Cup alongside the Cats.

The tournament also saw both Canterbury B teams show promising signs ahead of their national campaigns.

The Beavers pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by beating Otago 4-2 to record their only win.

The Canterbury Beavers upset defending national champions Otago with a 4-2 win at the Otautahi Cup on Saturday. Photo: Geoff Soper Photography

Otago’s frustrations were demonstrated with five green cards during the match, which the Beavers capitalised on in their middle two quarters.

Although they went into the second quarter 2-1 down, goals from Jakarta Klebert (PC), Ethan Barton (FG) and Bryce Smith (PC) saw the Beavers secure the win.

After placing seventh in tier 2 of the National Hockey Championship last year, the Barracuda will take confidence after some hard-fought losses against quality sides.

Alice Twaddell of the Canterbury Barracuda clears the ball under pressure from the Otago defence. Photo: Geoff Soper Photography

The team came close to Otago, going down 2-1, and couldn’t find the back of the net against Wellington, losing 2-0.

  • The Canterbury sides will now turn their focus to the national tournament held in Hamilton from September 10. Draws and results for the tournament can be found at www.hockeynz.altiusrt.com