New Zealand has made a strong start to the world under-18 third division championships in Taiwan.
The Junior Ice Blacks have won their opening two games and are on track for a promotion battle with China.
A 9-4 win over Chinese Taipei on the opening day was followed by a tighter 2-0 win over Mexico yesterday.
Eight different New Zealand players scored goals against Chinese Taipei. Two Dunedin Thunder players, Benedict Roth and Joseph Orr, and Southern Stampede's Max Macharg all got on the scoresheet. Stampede players Macharg, Lachlan Frear and Callum Burns were all credited with assists.
It was much tougher going against Mexico. The game was scoreless in the first and third periods.
In the second, Macharg and Frear got the goals and Burns added an assist to keep the Junior Ice Blacks on track.
The squad also includes Dunedin forward Bradley Apps and two promising Southern League players, Jacob Hurring and Harrison Macharg.
New Zealand's next game is against Bulgaria tomorrow. That contest will be followed by the clash with China the following day. China has scored 20 goals and conceded none in its two wins.
