Ice hockey's world champion's land

Members of the New Zealand U-18 ice hockey team.  Back (from left) are assistant coach Stacey Rout, of Queenstown, Quinn Drake (16), of Queenstown, Dale Bailey (16), of Alexandra, Dane Dunlop (17), of Gore, Luke Pickering (16), Nick Gloag (16) and team leader Graham Glass, all of Queenstown. Front (from left) are Gareth Lloyd (17), of Cromwell, Aston Brookes (16) and Connor Harrison (16), both of Queenstown. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.

The welcome for the Queenstown, Central Otago and Southern members of the champion New Zealand U-18 ice hockey team fresh from clinching victory in Mexico attracted plenty of attention, with many of those waiting for other passengers or to catch flights themselves remarking, "You don't see this every day."

The team was ranked second in the third division world championships, with home crowd favourite Mexico expected to take the title.

Team leader Graham Glass, his voice still husky from the thrilling final held on Sunday morning New Zealand time, said the Mexicans were winning 3-0 until the Kiwis staged a comeback.

"Our boys came back with the [winning] goal going in with 10 minutes to go.

"Mexico threw everything at them, but they held on."

The New Zealand team held on for a nail-biting 5-4 win.

Aston Brookes, of Queenstown, said the team was "so stoked" to have won.

"We were not expecting it, but to come home with a gold is just awesome."

In addition to the gold medal, Gareth Lloyd, of Cromwell, was named best forward of the tournament.