2021 AIHL season
2021 AIHL season | |
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League | Australian Ice Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | Cancelled |
The 2021 AIHL season was going to be the 21st
League Business
In 2021 the AIHL experienced change of leadership and the cancellation of a second consecutive season. On 28 January 2021, David Turik resigned as AIHL Commissioner by mutual consent with immediate effect. No reason was provided publicly for his resignation.
News
On 21 November 2020, former AIHL Chairman, Tim Frampton, died. Tim had been AIHL chairman for four years between 2006 and 2010. Tim led the modernisation of the league's governance with the introduction of the licensing system for the league's clubs and the launch of the league's website and social media program.
Personnel changes
AIHL teams made had three major personnel changes in 2021. On 22 April 2021, the Melbourne Ice announced the appointment of ex-player Chris Yule as their new head coach. Yule replaced Canadian Michael Marshall, who was never involved in a single AIHL match due to the 2020 season cancellation.[9] On 4 May 2021, the Melbourne Mustangs announced the signing of American head coach Steve Zanlunghi. Zanlunghi comes from a hockey family and is the former head of Jeep Asia Pacific.[10] On 23 November 2021, Sydney Ice Dogs head coach, Andrew Petrie, announced his resignation due to family reasons. Petrie ended his second stint as head coach with the Ice Dogs after four years with the team, having re-joined in 2017. In his two seasons in charge of the Ice Dogs, he led the team to consecutive sixth-place finishes, missing out on finals.[11] The Ice Dogs did not immediately announce a replacement head coach.
Player transfers
With no season planned for 2021, there is not a complete list of inclusions and departures for the league. There was however two major player departures announced or reported by AIHL clubs throughout 2021. On 10 April 2021, Melbourne Ice and Australia forward, Jason Baclig, left the club to return home to his native Canada. Baclig arrived in Australia in 2010 as an import for the Ice. Baclig played in 205 AIHL games, recorded 362 points and won four Goodall Cups. After becoming an Australian citizen, Baclig made his debut for Australia at the
Matt Harvey, of the CBR Brave, announced he would be leaving the Brave and Canberra and returning to his native homeland of Canada with his young family. Harvey moved to Canberra in 2014 and joined the newly formed Brave team after the collapse of the
Facility changes/upgrades
The process of building the National Ice Sports Center in
17 February 2021, The
Franchise bids
The AIHL Brisbane bid made a couple of key announcements in 2021 as the bid looked to build its case for future inclusion in the AIHL after officially being launched in August 2020. On 13 May 2021, the bid team announced the appointment of Queenslander Ben Spillane as the inaugural head coach of the proposed franchise team. Spillane joined the bidding team with a wealth of coaching experience behind him with the Queensland U18s and men's teams as well as the AJIHL team Brisbane Blitz.[19] On 31 June 2021, the bid team revealed the proposed franchise team name, logo, and team colours. The team going forward would be known as the Brisbane Rampage. The Rampage's colours will be charcoal, maroon and gold. The logo consists of a stylised R clutched by a hand. A new website was launched along with new social media accounts.[20][21]
Alternative competitions
After the 2021 season was cancelled a number of alternative competitions involving AIHL teams were organised.
Yarra Cup
9 February 2021, in the absence of a full league season, the
The first game of the Yarra Cup took place on 22 May 2021. The Mustangs defeated the Ice in the opening matchup 5-4 after a shootout. Both teams could not be separated after regular time with the scoreline locked at 4-4. No one could take advantage in overtime so the game was sent to a shootout to determine the winner. Sean Jones stepped up to score the winning penalty shot for the Mustangs in the shootout.[24]
On 18 August 2021, due to ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria, the Yarra Cup was officially cancelled. Games had previously been postponed but a decision was made to cancel the series with only one game having been played.[25]
In a surprise, in November 2021, it was announced the Yarra Cup would be resuming following the opening up of Victoria and easing of restrictions. The series would now be three games long, with the new games scheduled for 28 November and 4 December.[26] Game two saw the Mustangs triumph over the Ice for the second time in the series, effectively clinching the title. The Mustangs won the game by 9–3 with a five-goal third period cementing the victory.[27] Game three followed a similar pattern to the last game. The Ice matched the Mustangs for two of the three periods but the Mustangs found the edge in one of the periods to clinch victory. In game three it was the second period where the Mustangs scored three unanswered goals. The final score seeing the Mustangs win 5–2. With the third victory, it meant the Mustangs swept the series 3–0 with a near perfect points record.[28]
Table:
Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Melbourne Mustangs (C) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 8 |
2 | Melbourne Ice | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 18 | −9 | 1 |
Rules for classification:
Tie-break: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
Points: 3 points for regulation win; 2 points for OT or SO win; 1 point for OT or SO loss; 0 points for regulation loss
(C) Champion
Fixtures:
22 May 2021 17:00 | Melbourne Icehouse |
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28 November 2021 15:00 | Melbourne Icehouse |
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4 December 2021 18:00 | Melbourne Icehouse |
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McCormack Cup
11 February 2021, the
Unlike the Yarra Cup, The McCormack Cup chose to shorten game period lengths to three fifteen-minute periods due to international border restrictions restricting participating teams from bringing in international import players.
After nine matches being played and a further six matches postponed or cancelled, on 31 July 2021, the decision was made to indefinitely postpone the remainder of the McCormack Cup tournament.[31]
Table:
Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CBR Brave (C) | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 16 | +13 | 16 |
2 | Newcastle Northstars | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 16 | −3 | 7 |
3 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 21 | −10 | 4 |
Rules for classification:
Tie-break: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
Points: 3 points for regulation win; 2 points for OT or SO win; 1 point for OT or SO loss; 0 points for regulation loss
(C) Champion
Fixtures:
8 May 2021 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 1–6 (0–1, 1–2, 0–3) | CBR Brave | Erina Ice Arena |
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9 May 2021 16:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 4–8 (1–2, 2–3, 1–3) | CBR Brave | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium |
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15 May 2021 17:30 | CBR Brave | 5–2 (0–0, 3–1, 2–1) | Sydney Ice Dogs | Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
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22 May 2021 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 1–3 (1–0, 0–1, 0–2) | Newcastle Northstars | Erina Ice Arena |
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23 May 2021 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 5–2 (0–0, 2–2, 3–0) | CBR Brave | Erina Ice Arena |
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29 May 2021 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 3–1 (0–0, 2–0, 1–1) | Sydney Ice Dogs | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium |
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5 June 2021 17:30 | CBR Brave | 2–1 (SO) (0–0, 1–1, 0–0, 0–0, 1–0) | Sydney Ice Dogs | Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
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19 June 2021 17:30 | CBR Brave | 2–1 (OT) (0–0, 1–0, 0–1, 1–0) | Newcastle Northstars | Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
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20 June 2021 17:00 | CBR Brave | 4–2 (1–0, 1–2, 2–0) | Newcastle Northstars | Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
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Melbourne Ducks exhibitions
In April 2021, the Melbourne Ice announced it would take on the Melbourne Ducks in a two match exhibition series at IceHQ in May 2021. The Melbourne Ducks is IceHQ's junior team that formed an exhibition team made up of AIHL and Victorian Premier League players for the series.[32] Game one was won by the Melbourne Ice with a 5-2 score line. Sam Hodic scored the opening goal of the game in the first period for the Ice. Jordan Warren scored the first ever goal for the Ducks in the second period.[33] The Ducks levelled the two match series in game two with a last minute winner to seal a 5–4 victory. Kevin Peng of the Ice scored the opening goal of the game with the only goal of the first period. Corey Stringer scored the match winning goal in the third period with 7 seconds left on the clock.[34]
Sydney Bears exhibitions
The Bears agreed to take on the Newcastle Northstars in three games. The first game, set for 24 April, would be played at Macquarie Ice Rink. The final two matches, set for 5 June and 7 August, would be played at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. Game one saw the Bears defeat the Northstars 7–4.[35] Game two saw the bears win again, defeating the Northstars 4–3 in overtime.[36] Game three was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales (NSW) that brought in new restrictions for travel between Sydney and the NSW regions.[37]
The Bears also organised a one-off exhibition game against an East Coast Super League (ECSL) All-Star team at Macquarie Ice Rink in May 2021.[38] On 15 May 2021, the Bears defeated ECSL All Stars 10–2.[39]
Despite being unannounced, on 2 June 2021, the Sydney Bears advised that a planned exhibition game against local rivals the Sydney Ice Dogs for 19 June 2021 would be cancelled due to the Ice Dogs withdrawing from participating in the planned game.[40]
Capital Cup
13 April 2021, the Capital Cup was announced. The Capital Cup would be an 8-game series, scheduled for September 2021, and would see the CBR Brave play the Melbourne Ice and Mustangs for 4 games each, two in Melbourne and two in Canberra.[41] On 18 August 2021, the Capital Cup was officially cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreaks and border restrictions.[25]
Canberra Knights 40th Anniversary Exhibition
26 November 2021, the CBR Brave announced a one-off exhibition match against the defunct Canberra Knights to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Knights and to mark Matt Harvey's last game for the Brave. The match would be played on Saturday 4 December 2021 at Phillip Ice Skating Centre.[42] Matt Harvey announced he would be leaving Canberra and returning to his native Canada with his young family.[14]
The game day rosters were announced on 2 December 2021 for both the Canberra Knights and CBR Brave. Both rosters consisted of current and former players for both teams.[43]
On 4 December 2021, the Brave defeated the Canberra Knights 7–6 in overtime after a topsy-turvy game that saw the lead switch from one team to the other each period as well as late goals. The Brave went ahead early in the game and led 3–0 at the end of the first period. The Knights staged a comeback in the second period and headed into the change rooms 4-3 up. In the third period the teams traded goals with the Knights levelling the match in 30 seconds left on the clock through former Brave captain, Jordie Gavin's top shelf shot beating Alexandre Tetreault. In the 3v3 overtime period, both teams played strategic hockey and it was the Brave who scored the game-winning goal through Casey Kubara.[44]
References
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- ^ La Grassa, Jennifer (21 May 2021). "This family uprooted their lives in Australia to move back home amid Ontario's 3rd COVID-19 wave". CBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ a b Anderson, Simon (7 December 2021). "Matt makes a Brave decision to head for home". www.citynews.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ White, Daniella (3 September 2020). "Tuggeranong Ice skating rink to be built". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ O'Driscoll, Max (3 November 2021). "Tuggeranong ice sports proposal expected by the end of the year". www.the-riotact.com. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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- ^ "Brisbane Rampage Home". AIHL Brisbane Inc. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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- ^ Hartshorne, Peter (9 February 2021). "AIHL ICE HOCKEY IS COMING BACK". Melbourne Ice. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 Yarra Cup schedule released". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 Yarra Cup: Mustangs beat Ice in a Game 1 shootout". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Yarra Cup and Capital Cup cancelled". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Yarra Cup returns after six month break". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 Yarra Cup: Mustangs score nine goals to win Game 2". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 Yarra Cup: Mustangs sweep series with Game 3 win". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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- ^ "Bears' plans for 2021". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Remainder of the McCormack Cup postponed". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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- ^ "Melbourne Ducks v Melbourne Ice 2 May 2021 Exhibition". iceHQ. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Melbourne Ducks v Melbourne Ice 15 May 2021 Exhibition". iceHQ. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears defeat Northstars at Macquarie". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears defeat Northstars in overtime". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears and Northstars game postponed". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears to play ECSL All Stars at Macquarie". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears beat ECSL All Stars". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Bears and Ice Dogs exhibition game abandoned". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 Capital Cup schedule released". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ O'Driscoll, Max (29 November 2021). "CBR Brave to celebrate 40 years of ACT ice hockey with exhibition game". www.the-riotact.com. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Rosters announced for Brave v Knights exhibition game". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "CBR Brave defeat the Canberra Knights in overtime". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.