THE Newcastle North Stars have claimed back-to-back national ice hockey titles after defeating rivals Canberra Brave in the Australian Ice Hockey League grand final on Sunday.
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Not since 2005-2006 has the North Stars consecutively won the AIHL championship.
The North Stars defeated the Brave 2-1 in the AIHL grand final, which was held in Melbourne on Sunday, August 28.
It is the sixth championship the North Stars have won since 2002, making them the most successful club in AIHL history.
“It is actually sweeter,” North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said on the win.
“We had a league that improved 15-20 per cent this year. We had some people say we wouldn't even make the playoffs this year.
“We did a hell of a job this weekend.”
North Stars import Connor McLaughlin, who finished the season as the AIHL’s leading goal scorer, was the first to score in Sunday's championship game.
With McLaughlin's goal, the North Stars led 1-0 until fellow Newcastle import Josh Harris scored with four minutes left in the second period.
The North Stars led 2-0 until the final period when Canberra import, and former North Star, Geordie Wudrick scored.
Despite turning into a physical game, the North Stars did not let their emotions get the better of them and held on to their lead.
As the clock ticked down, it was clear the Brave would not find a way to get the puck around Newcastle’s defenders for a game-leveling goal.
North Stars captain Robert Malloy said winning the championship “gets better and better” each year.
“We faced a lot of adversity this year,” Malloy said.
“It was harder than ever. From the first day we had a target on our backs. But, we just stuck to our own game. They tried to pull us into some muck hockey, but we didn't fall for it.”
Newcastle defeated Perth Thunder 3-2 in overtime on Saturday's AIHL semi final to face the Brave in the grand final game.
Twice Newcastle came from behind to level Perth - both North Stars goals coming from import Scott Swiston - and stay in the game.
The game ended 2-2 and went into overtime.
A single goal, scored by Newcastle defender Hamish Powell off a pass from import Brandon Greenside, sealed the game 3-2 and with it the North Stars' place in the championship game.
North Stars general manager Garry Dore paid tribute to the this year's team and coaching staff, which he said were "fantastic".
“We've won six of the 12 grand finals we've played in; that's a real feat,” Dore said.
“I'm really proud of the organisation.”
Newcastle goaltender Dayne Davis was named as the most valuable player in the AIHL finals.
