THE Newcastle North Stars were crowned the 2015 Australian Ice Hockey League champions in Melbourne on Sunday after a seven-year battle to return the Goodall Cup to the coal city.
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In one of the most action-packed, intense finals deciders in recent memory, the grand final game played against Melbourne Ice was decided by a penalty shot in overtime.
Brian Bales went one-on-one with the Ice’s goaltender minutes into the sudden death overtime period, landing his shot in the net to seal the game 3-2 in Newcastle’s favour.
North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said winning the championship felt “absolutely brilliant”, especially stealing it from the Ice, which he credited as a “quality side”.
“[The game] was certainly pulsating,” he said.
“It was close and I think both sides should be congratulated for playing such a highly charged game at such a high intensity without any cynicism.”
After a fairytale season, the North Stars were the favourites for the 2015 championship.
The dream started to diminish during Saturday’s semi-final game with the CBR Brave dominating from the outset.
By halfway through the second period the North Stars were trailing 3-0.
A goal by Rob Malloy boosted the North Stars’ spirits and began its slow but steady climb back into the game.
Import Geordie Wudrick, Newcastle’s and the league’s most valuable player this season, scored two goals to equal the game 3-3.
With one minute and 11 seconds left on the clock, Wudrick scored one more time to book the North Stars’ spot in the final against the Ice.
The North Stars were first to put points on the board with a goal from Wudrick halfway through the first period; answered by the Ice with one minute left on the clock.
The second period was goalless, but full of action, setting the scene for the final period showdown.
Newcastle defenseman Jan Safar scored the tie-breaking goal with one minute 43 seconds left in the game.
The Ice responded seconds later and the game ended 2-2, forcing it to overtime.
Petrie said the overtime plan was to go out on the ice and attack, which would force the Ice to make mistakes.
The ploy worked, with an interference penalty called on the Ice and the North Stars awarded a penalty shot.
“The thing you learn when you do this for a long time is that the game is never over, especially in championship games until the final whistle blows,” Petrie said.
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