The second National Premier League 4v4 Tournament was a resounding success!

A total of seven teams participated, with six representing Auckland and surrounding areas, with the defending champions, the Wellington Seals, making the most of the trip north, winning the tournament and claiming back to back titles!

With a format that emphasized offense and skill, the games were action-packed and highly competitive. Over two days, teams played in six round-robin games to determine the standings, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals. The competition was tight, and it wasn’t until the final game of the round-robin that the standings were set. The top four teams moving on to the semifinals were Deja Vu in first place, Travelling Goons in second, Wellington Seals in third, and Free Agents in fourth.

The semi-finals were intense, featuring unexpected upsets as the Free Agents knocked out the undefeated Deja Vu and the Seals defeated the Goons. In a hard-fought final, the Seals clinched the championship with a 2:0 victory, defending their title and winning back to back championships. The shield will head back to Wellington until next year, when we hope to see even more teams from across the regions compete!

Beyond the thrilling hockey, the tournament also featured a mix-and-mingle event on Saturday night. Over 50 players gathered at What-A-BBQ, a nearby spot from Paradice, Avondale, to unwind after the day’s games. Players enjoyed platters of delicious meats in a vibrant setting that included foosball, retro arcade games, and a bubble hockey game. It was the perfect chance for players to socialize and build connections off the rink.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend of hockey, fun, and camaraderie. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year!