Melbourne Ice 2011 Champions

Melbourne Ice are back to back AIHL Australian Champions after defeating the Newcastle North Stars 3-2 in the AIHL Final.

The win has given the Ice their second consecutive Goodall Cup and has broken the nine season hoodoo of there never being a minor premier winning the AIHL Final.

The Ice booked their spot with a comfortable 8-3 win over the Adrenaline on Saturday night, with the North Stars likewise too much for the Ice Dogs to handle with their 5-2 win.

Like the North Stars, the Ice were carrying retirements as motivation, with veteran Glen Mayer announcing that the Cup win was his swan song.

Ice and Aussie star forward Joey Hughes won the Kennedy Award for AIHL Finals MVP. Hughes was recognised for an impeccable work ethic and for his part in several key moments over the weekend that gave his team every chance to win.

President Andy Lamrock praised the fans, players and support crew for their loyalty over the ten seasons of the Melbourne Ice to rapturous applause.

The Melbourne Ice had their first Finals appearence in 2006, but it took until 2010 for them to win a Semi Final and Final. Their 2011 Championship was their second Cup win and made them the first back-to-back winners since 2006.

The AIHL will return in April 2012 for its thirteenth season.