2015 AIHL Finals Preview

The time has come for the MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs to relinquish the Goodall Cup and for a new set of champions to be crowned. Valiant until the end, this was not their year and while it means there will be no repeat of the thrill that was the 2014 Finals, as hockey fans we can still unite in watching the four remaining teams vie for the ultimate prize in Australian ice hockey. The AIHL Finals are always a great exhibition of talent and skill as teams only have one chance at glory. Any slip up and they head home empty handed and every player needs to be at his best.

After a gruelling 112 game schedule the most consistent team was the Newcastle North Stars, followed by the ever reliable Melbourne Ice and young up and comers Perth Thunder and CBR Brave. These teams have provided a number of fantastic clashes throughout 2015 and will certainly produce a memorable Finals.

The North Stars’ 63 points were the highest team tally since 2011 and their 152 goals were the highest in AIHL history, although regular season consistency is not always the best guide to performance in the Finals. North Stars fans would be well aware that finishing on top of the standings is no guarantee for ultimate success. The have had three first place finishes, since the last of their four Goodall Cup victories in 2008, with no silverware to show for it. After being on the outer in 2014, the North Stars will not want to waste another opportunity. In 11 seasons prior to 2014, the North Stars made the Grand Final 10 times, and with the star power of new AIHL record point scorer Geordie Wudrick, they are looking well placed to finally hoist the Cup a fifth time.

As runners up last season, the Ice too will be looking to add to their rich history of success. They are peaking at the right time and head into the Finals with wins in their last five games, including two over their semi-final opponents, Perth Thunder. With a very skilful core of players who have already won the Goodall Cup three times, and the majority of the local support, they are going to be a huge threat.

The Mustangs showed last year, that you don’t necessarily require a squad that is experienced in Finals to be successful. As the two youngest teams the league they don’t yet have the history of their opponents, but both Perth Thunder and CBR Brave have been there before. As the surprise packet of season 2013 and 2014 respectively they qualified for the Finals only to be eliminated at the first hurdle. It is guaranteed they will not be so easily outclassed a second time around.

After a tremendous start to the season, the Thunder have limped into the Finals on the back of five successive defeats but now that it comes down to a single weekend they will be doing everything to halt the slide. Meanwhile the Brave, who struggled to begin the year, suddenly clicked when import goaltender Josh Unice took over the coaching role and strong finish cemented a second Finals appearance in as many seasons.

Each team brings different strengths into the Finals and subsequently this weekend promises to be a show of hockey not to be missed. It was fantastic to see the tightknit AIHL community band together once again to raise enough funds to ensure the finals would be live streamed. As a peripheral sport in this country streaming and digital media are the lifeblood of the game and required to connect current fans and to bring in new ones. While it may not be mainstream, ice hockey is an exceptional sport that requires a combination of skills unlike any other, and no matter who you support we can all appreciate the effort players put in. Even when your favourite team hasn’t qualified, the AIHL Finals are a unique opportunity to share the passion of the hockey fans everywhere and dream of the day that it will be your turn again.

Finalists at a glance:

Newcastle North Stars

Finals record: 11 appearances, 4 Goodall Cup wins

X-Factor: Geordie Wudrick
After setting a new record for both goals and points in a season he will be expected to carry that form through the finals.

2015 Record against other Finalists:

Melbourne Ice

Finals record: 9 appearances, 3 Goodall Cup wins

X-Factor: Thomas Powell
Leading local born player in 2015, proven performer with a number of big goals in the Ice previous finals games.

2015 Record against other Finalists:

Perth Thunder

Finals record: 1 appearance

X-Factor: Mark Guggenberger’s ankle
On a team that has scored the fewest goals coming into the finals they will need a fit and reliable goalie, Perth have been downplaying his injury, but it is key to their success

2015 Record against other Finalists:

CBR Brave

Finals record: 1 appearance

X-Factor: Stephen Blunden
With the most goal assists of in the AIHL in 2015 he can score and set up his team mates, will need to be watched all times when on the ice.

2015 Record against other finalists: