Over the next 2 days the top 4 teams will fight it out to discover who will be the AIHL Champion for 2010.  After a grueling regular season only the Sydney Bears, Adelaide Adrenaline, Newcastle North Stars and finals host Melbourne Ice remain in the competition.  These 4 teams each play their own style of hockey and all of them want to raise the cup as much as the next.  But, who will be strong enough to make it?  Last seasons winners, the Adrenaline are looking to win back-to-back championships.  The Newcastle North Stars have a deadly offensive lineup including Brian Bales and Peter Cartright who surpassed last seasons record set by Brad Smulders of the Blue Tongues.  The Sydney Bears have been looked on as the underdogs, but have a well balanced team that is dangerous to underestimate.  Lastly, the Melbourne Ice, who have a new rink, new attitude and a serious home-ice advantage.

As a fan of the sport of hockey, it’s hard not wanting to throw support behind one of these 4 teams during the finals.  I personally would love to see the Bears get up over the other teams, but a first round match against the Ice could prove a mighty challenge.  The Ice losing in the semi would be a great thing to see however.  The North Stars / Adrenaline matchup will be a good one as we see great offense meet great defense.  If the Adrenaline can shut down Bales and Cartright, I think they could take the win.

Game 1 is this afternoon with the 2nd semi Saturday night at 7:15pm.  The Final is Sunday afternoon.

Related posts:

1. Staring Down The Barrel At The 2011 AIHL Finals
2. Congratulations Melbourne Ice: 2010 AIHL Champions
3. Adrenaline Champs, Off-Seasons & the AIHL Rumour Mill

In less than 2 days time, old friends, trans-tasmin brothers, and fellow ANZACs will go into battle to defend their countries honor.  No, i’m not talking about the Bledisloe Cup, i’m referring to the Australian representative team heading over to face off against the Kiwis in a 2-game Ice Hockey matchup!

Unlike the Bledisloe, where the All Blacks are by far the better team (go on, admit it, you know it’s true), the Ice Blacks are not so fortunate.  Over the years, they have never beaten Australia, something that as a fellow kiwi, i can’t say i’m all too pleased about.

So how is this year different to any other year?  Well, the Aussie team is not actually THE Aussie team, instead it’s a rep team put together from the Newcastle North Stars and Sydney Bears AIHL teams.  This rep team isn’t just some mix-match either, they have some solid import players such as John Halverson and great Australian local players in Rubes, Stransky and Matt Ezzy.

That said, the Kiwis are ready.  They know they’re the underdog, and they’re ok with that.  One thing is certain, this coming weekend things will heat up on the Ice in Dunedin, NZ!

Related posts:

1. AIHL Vs IHA
2. Smulders Record Falls To North Stars Duo
3. Goalies: When is a starter not a starter