The 2011 AIHL season will see the introduction of a new AIHL team; the Melbourne Mustangs. The Mustangs played a series of exhibition games during 2010 and showcased their talent pool with teams around the league, so it will be great to see them play in 2011.
On a similar front, the Pandas, a team allegedly put forward by a Brisbane group has seemingly gotten lost amongst the Bamboo and is nowhere to be seen. While those of us here in Brisbane would love to have a new Brissy team, the talent pool up here is simply not good enough to put together a second South East Queensland team.
The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues Supporters, team members, sponsors and hockey fans around South East Queensland would like to congratulate the Blue Tongues on their first ever appearance at the Australian Ice Hockey League Finals series, 29-30 August, 2009 at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium (HISS), Warners Bay, Newcastle, NSW.
We would also like to congratulate Blue Tongues import Brad Smulders on breaking the AIHL scoring record, previously of 69 points held by Brad Wanchuluk of the Newcastle Northstars in 2007. Brad finished the season with 33 goals, 43 assists for 76 points off just 22 games.
The Blue Tongues finished the regular season in 4th spot with 14 wins, 7 losses and 3 overtime losses, good for 44 points off 24 games.
The Blue Tongues will take on top seeded Newcastle Northstars in their semi-final matchup, scheduled for 7:30pm, Saturday 29 August, 2009.
