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 The New Zealand men hockey team muscled their way past Canada 6-2 in their opening match of the Commonwealth Games.



The first half was tightly fought and the New Zealanders had eked a 1-0 lead at the interval. Then the floodgates opened.

Kane Russell scored in the 28th minute when he flicked a penalty corner into the net.



Less than a minute into the third quarter Nic Woods doubled New Zealand’s lead with a powerful drag flick, beating all defenders on its way into the goal.



The score became 3-0 in the 40th minute when George Muir pulled off a fantastic sliding touch to score.



New Zealand added two more in the following two minutes with Dane Lett flicking in a penalty corner and Stephen Jenness delivering a punishing goal shot from the top of the circle.



Canada pulled two goals back through James Kirkpatrick and Gordon Johnston but it was New Zealand’s day with a 60th minute Hugo Inglis field goal icing the result.



Coach Darren Smith said it was pleasing to put together a strong performance against a high quality side.



“Canada would have been lining that game up and they’re a tough team so to be able to do a good job, particularly in the middle of the game, was really good,” he said.



“I was happy with how we accumulated through the second and third quarters and we played some good hockey.”

New Zealand meets South Africa next on April 8.

 

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Dane Lett George Muir Nic Woods Kane Russell Hugo Inglis Stephen Jenness Darren Smith
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