Third place AIHL Adelaide Adrenaline skated to 3 – 2 overtime victory over the league’s first place Newcastle Northstars at the 2009 AIHL Finals at Newcastle’s Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday night.
The Adrenaline, who won a comfortable 6-1 semi-final victory over second place Melbourne Ice on Saturday night, met the Northstars, who recorded a 5 – 3 win in their semi-final game against the fourth place Gold Coast Blue Tongues.
Outshot 34 -17 for the game and with the Adrenaline dominating play, the Northstars struck first with a dribbler between the pads of Adrenalin’s Olivier Martin from Northstars John Halverson on an assist from line mate Ray Sheffield to take the lead 1-0 early in the first frame. Adrenalin’s Belgium import, Vincent Morgan, replied minutes later on a passing combination from Josh Harding and Mike Werner to tie the game at 1-1.
Adelaide took the lead mid way through the second period when Mike Werner set up Team Captain Greg Oddy to beat Northstars netminder Matt Ezzy for a 2-1 score. With a man in the sin bin, and a controversial delay of game call on Oddy late in the second, Adrian Saul and Steve Kaye combined with John Halverson for his second and tie the game at 2-2 after two periods of play.
Despite a number of power play opportunities in the third neither team were able to capitalize to take the lead resulting in the game going into sudden death overtime.
With the Adrenaline pressing Northstars netminder Matt Ezzy right from the face off with three quick shots in quick succession, it was a deflected puck that gave the Adrenaline a 3-2 overtime win and League Championships. Cass Delsar was awarded the goal, on assists from Josh Harding and import Jeremy Beirnes.
Cass Delsar was awarded Finals Series “Most Valuable Player” while Blue Tongues, Brad Smulders of the Gold Coast Blue Tongues was awarded the season’s MVP.
Adrenaline Captain Greg Oddy expressed the team’s relief in finally winning an AIHL play-off after three difficult years in succession prior to the 2009 season under the Avalanche brand and having last won the league’s championship honours in 2001.
Adrenaline Coach, John Botterill, stated “We were acutely aware that if we were to have optimum success the boys would have to play a discipline game. You can’t win games in the penalty box, especially against an experienced and talented team like the Northstars. The young players on the team displayed confidence and courage beyond my expectations. I am delighted that the team will have strong local talent for years to come. I couldn’t ask for a better performance.”
A ticker-tape parade is planned to take place for the team this Thursday at Adelaide’s Wellington Square.
