It’s a funny predicament the Ice see themselves in in 2014. Constantly put down in some circles as a waning superpower, the Melbourne Ice stormed into the finals, challenging the Mustangs for the H Newman Reid Trophy for minor premiers right up until the last week. A team that has won three of the past four Goodall Cups and lost in the semi-finals in 2013 to the eventual champion Sydney Ice Dogs in a classic match and has been consistently in the top half of the ladder this season, the Ice know how to win under pressure and will have the other three finalists on notice.
In July after claiming a win over the Sydney Ice Dogs in Liverpool, Ice coach Brent Laver said, “I think since the three-peat and last year, when we’re in town, other teams turn up to play.” The same can be said about the Ice, who, when the four finalist teams have played, is the team that has taken the most points from the games. Between the top four teams, the Ice have taken 22 points from eight wins (five in regular time, three in shootout) and four losses (three in regular time and one in a shootout). While you can pretty much throw a blanket over every other statistic, the Ice have shown they are effective against the other finalists.
However, when it’s finals time, it’s anyone’s game. The fact no one can rest on their laurels has hung over the Ice’s preparation for the series.
"Every team that's going into this finals weekend thinks they're a massive chance, and rightly so,” Laver said. “I don't think there's one team in this finals race that arrives at that rink tomorrow and says 'well, we've done pretty well to get here...' and that's it. They're all coming in saying 'if we do things well today, we're in a grand final'. The competition is enormous. No one will die wondering this weekend - that's what I know for sure."
In one of the tightest seasons in recent memory, the Ice know as well as any team that preparation for an AIHL finals series is tough.
"It's great to make the finals, as it was a goal for us this season, but at the moment there's little satisfaction - it's not enough,” Laver said. “Once you're there, and you know it all comes down to one weekend, it's amazing to try and prepare for it. You just can't help but be excited."
"Our preparation has been going really well; the guys are in great spirits. Tuesday night was a great practice, last night was a great practice and everyone's really excited."
Funnily enough, when the Ice take on the Brave on Saturday night, they’ll be taking on the team they have had the most issues with this season. The Brave are the only finals team that the Ice haven’t beaten in regular time, taking two shootouts and while conceding a regular time and a shootout loss respectively. Something to keep in mind is that the last time these two teams took the Ice together was June 22 in Melbourne.
Despite being in his first year as head coach of the Melbourne Ice head coach, Laver knows that anyone watching the finals over the weekend better be ready for some great hockey.
"There'll be some special things that happen this weekend,” Laver said. “Whether it's a crazy save, an amazing defensive play or an amazing one-on-one battle, something's going to happen that everyone will talk about for a long time. No team will allow themselves to just go through the motions, and that's what makes it so exciting."
The Melbourne Ice will take on first-year finalists the CBR Brave on Saturday night at 6:30pm for a place in the Goodall Cup final on Sunday at 3pm.
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