Melbourne Ice win innaugural Trans Tasman Champions League

The Melbourne Ice have won the innaugural Trans Tasman Champions League at the Medibank Icehouse, after a heated game versus cross-Tasman challengers, the Botany Swarm.

Eventually winning 8-5, the Ice were equal on points and goal differentials with the also undefeated Newcastle North Stars, causing the result to be decided by total number of goals scored versus the Swarm.

The 8-5 win was bigger than Newcastle's 6-3 win, granting the Ice the narrowest of victories.

Earlier in game four it seemed as if the Ice may be upset by the Swarm, as a big hit by favourite import Matt Armstong slammed Botany top-scorer Joshua Hay enough the stantion and the end of the Swarm Bench.

The hit put Hay head first into the unpadded divider and off the ice, bleeding from a cut in the head and suffering a concussion that required him to be transported 

The hit resulted in Armstrong's ejection with a major and started off a very emotional and nasty game where the physicality was high and intense.

The major gave the Swarm a lead and it took most of the third period for the Ice to run it down and get the necessary two goal lead or an outright win where they scored more than 5 goals.

In the end, the Ice did so with a 8-5 win, giving them the same competition points and goals differential as the North Stars, but with the greater total.

The Melbourne Ice accepted the brand new cup emblazonned with the logos of both leagues, and celebrated their win with fans around the rink and at the team watering hole after the game.