Melbourne Ice celebrate their threepeat. In that game, Newcastle struggled to shake off a high-class Adelaide Adrenaline, holding on to win 5-4 after enduring a taxing five-minute block of the final period shorthanded. Ice was in control of its semi-final from the outset, leading 3-0 and 4-1 before dispatching the Sydney Ice Dogs 6-2. Yesterday, the rink was rocking from the outset, with a significant band of travelling Ice fans matching the passionate support from proud Newcastle locals. And, despite Ice ace Jason Baclig creating a good chance in the opening seconds, it was the home team that took advantage of the exhilarating atmosphere. Ice had vowed not to allow the lethal North Stars offence a chance at them on the powerplay, but it was shorthanded within 35 seconds, and though it killed that initial penalty, the pressure had told and the North Stars scored three minutes in, on a brilliant passing play finished by young scoring machine Beau Taylor.

Jason Baclig on the charge. Newcastle piled on the pressure, its deft mid-rink exchanges setting up wave after wave of attacks. Ice was unable to break through despite briefly holding a 5-on-3 advantage, and it looked like the methodical, precise, cohesive North Stars were going to exploit the Ice for the third time this season when North Stars stalwart Brian Bales made it 2-0 with two minutes to play. However, as it has done all season, Ice fought back just when it appeared to be losing its grip on the title. Ice players celebrate after winning the Goodall Cup, watched closely, as always, from the documentary crew producing a "Road to Threepeat" series. Credit:Will Brodie Gifted leftie Matt Armstrong scored a brilliant unassisted backhanded goal with 1.44 to play in the first period, and his team created two good chances while shorthanded in the final seconds.

The second period showcased surely the finest hockey Ice had played in its golden era. Defenceman Dylan Moore said "nothing special" was said at the break, and there was no "ranting and raving" from coach Paul "Jaffa" Watson, but the focused Ice, which had undertaken a meticulous preparation, immediately reversed the game's momentum upon the re-start. Liam Webster's power and penetrating skating was causing havoc, and suddenly Ice's passing surety returned. Five minutes in, the ceaseless pressure finally told, when Webster's stunning turnaround slapshot beat Olivier Martin in a top corner. 2-2. Newcastle, so fluent and dominant early in the game, was reduced to icing the puck in order to avoid going further behind, its passing coherency broken down by Ice's dedicated back-checking and potent, inventive attacks. For all that, Stu Denman, who had kept Ice in the contest early, was still called upon to make some big saves. With few whistles or penalties, the skating was punishing and the pace relentless. With six minutes and four minutes left in the period, Ice created big scoring chances while shorthanded, thwarted by Martin's acrobatic resolve in net for the North Stars.

Then, as the announcer intoned "One Minute Left In The Period!", Ice star Jason Baclig received an incisive pass on the blue line, somehow held off two defencemen and scored a goal in the corner while being dragged to the ice. Three-two to the back-to-back champs, but even in the final 15 seconds, Denman was twice called upon to preserve the lead, a leg-save with three seconds left cramming yet more drama into an amazing 15 minutes. The third period was a case of "But wait, there's more!" Ice had the ascendancy early, but it took six minutes for them to break through, Webster smashing an unstoppable drive right off a face-off to give Ice a 4-2 buffer. However, the North Stars forced a big save out of Denman within 15 seconds, an entree to the high drama to come. The proud Novacastrians threw everything at Ice and, with a little more space at the back to set up their drives, their skills and teamwork again set up chances for their brilliant forwards.

Ice players were diving to block shots and stick poke as the crowd went beyond fever pitch. With just over six minutes to go, the pressure told. Ice conceded a penalty and the renowned North Stars powerplay kicked into action, Kevin Day scoring off the post. At 4-3 with five minutes to play, Ice, which had never won a final interstate until the previous day, faced its ultimate challenge. Joey Hughes powered towards the net, the red light went on . . . but no goal. Denman produced save after save. With two minutes remaining, Newcastle took its time-out to plan its final assault. Ice was under extreme pressure, dumping the puck, meaning it came back with interest — stoppages deep in defence.

Matt Armstrong was blocked by Martin after breaking clear. Newcastle pulled Martin off the ice to establish a one-man advantage. One goalie was leaning on the boards, helpless, unable to do anything. The other was under ceaseless attack from close range. Despite its best efforts, the strongest Ice line could not clear their zone. With 30 seconds to play, a diving Denman somehow cleared off the line, with some help from the post. Melbourne time-out. There wasn't much that could be said — as defenceman Todd Graham later admitted, it was a case of cover your little area and hold on. Face-off, multi-player hacking scramble in the goalface . . . face-off. The final minute seemed to go on for a period.

Finally, with seconds to go, Ice did manage to elude desperate North Stars attackers and the puck slid harmlessly into its empty end of the rink. Siren. The Threeepeat was achieved. Australian Ice Hockey league at a glance: - There are nine teams, playing in two conferences - The top two teams from each conference make the sudden death finals on the first weekend in September, in Newcastle. The semi-finals are played on Saturday, with the grand final played the following day. - Each team is allowed four imports, usually professionals from European or junior North American leagues. The league is completely amateur, though imports are allowed to receive assistance to help with accommodation etc.

Melbourne Icehouse - click here To check out Resolution Media's Melbourne Ice doco: click here.

A crash course in hockey rules, courtesy Newcastle North Stars: click here

Hewitt Sports Network AIHL news - click here Loading

For a great read on the voyage of a new hockey fan - Nick Place's hockey blog River Road hockey blog - click here