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For the first time in its 100 year history, an Australian Ice Hockey League Final will be televised across Australia following successful negotiations between the AIHL, Power Productions and Fox Sports.
The grand final will be shown on Fox Sports 1 on 8 September, at 11pm, followed by two more showings on Fox Sports 2 at 6am and 12.30pm on Tuesday 10 September in a move that is sure to add extra excitement to the sport’s Centenary year.
The decision by Fox Sports is a coup for the AIHL, which has been working behind the scenes for two years to bring Australia’s top-class competition of ‘the coolest game on earth’ to the widest possible audience in Australia.
“This is a huge step forward for the promotion of ice hockey in this country,” says Tim Frampton, AIHL Chairman, “and we are delighted that Fox Sports, after discussions with the AIHL and our partners, Slapshot Productions, who will be producing the broadcasts, have recognised the value of including Australian content in their coverage of this fantastic sport.”
The 2008 AIHL finals weekend is being hosted by the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay, Newcastle Australia scene of the Mighty Roos World Championship triumph in April this year.
The Saturday semi finals will see top four teams, play off at 4.00pm and 7.30pm respectively. The winners will progress to the Final on Sunday at 4pm, where plenty of fast and furious action is expected to determine who will be crowned AIHL champions for 2008 and winners of one of Ice Hockey’s oldest and most revered trophies, the Goodall Cup.
“We are expecting huge attendances at the finals, with our enthusiastic local supporter base supplemented by plenty more fans from across NSW and interstate,” says Frampton, “but for those who can’t make it – and for the many sports fans who haven’t yet had the chance to experience the excitement of the AIHL competition in person – the Fox Sports coverage is a huge bonus.”
Tickets for the AIHL Finals Series are available from the AIHL website via the new online ticketing system. Only a limited number of seats will be available at the door.
For further information on the AIHL competition and the Finals Series go to www.theaihl.com.au
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