HockeyPulse

The four New South Wales AIHL teams have announced that in 2008 for the first time the teams will be running an organised pre-season tournament tied to AIHL season preparation.

The Ice Dogs, Bears, North Stars and Rhinos will compete for the donated Wilson Cup, on behalf of John and Carol Wilson. The Wilsons have been cornerstones of the support of ice hockey in Australia and continue to do so following the loss of their rink at Blacktown.

The tournament will commence on Saturday the 9th of February at Baulkham Hill’s Sydney Ice Arena between the two Sydney teams, simultaneously with a game at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay between the two “F3” teams.

Each team will play home & away against the other three, with Semi Finals to be held on the 8th or 9th of March, and a final on the 16th of March.

The Wilson Cup tournament will be an ideal preparation for the Australian Men’s team who play will participate in April’s World Championship Division II tournament to be held here in Australia at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. The tournament will feature many new talents coming up from the NSW Midget and East Coast Super League teams, and give these young men the opportunity to win a place in an AIHL regular-season team.

Tickets will be available at the door only. Ticket prices TBA shortly.

Schedule is as follows:
Saturday 9th Feb
545pm Bears v Dogs @ SIA
545pm Rhinos v Northstars @ Newcastle
Sunday 10th Feb
545pm Dogs v Northstars @ SIA
545pm Bears v Rhinos @ Erina
Saturday 16th Feb
545pm Bears v Northstars @ SIA
545pm Dogs v Rhinos @ Erina
Sunday 17th Feb
545pm Bears v Dogs @ SIA
Saturday 23rd Feb
545pm Rhinos v Northstars @ Erina
Sunday 24th Feb
545pm Dogs v Rhinos @ SIA
545pm Bears v Newcastle @ Newcastle
Saturday 1st March
545pm Dogs v Northstars @ Newcastle
Sunday 2nd March
545pm Bears v Rhinos @ SIA
Saturday (8th or 9th) March (Semi – Finals)
545pm 1st v 4th @ Newcastle
545pm 2nd v 3rd @ Newcastle
Sunday 16th March - Finals
545pm Consolation Final (Loser Semi 1 v Loser Semi 2) @ SIA
745pm Grand Final (Winner Semi 1 v Winner Semi 2) @ SIA

ames structure: 2 x 20 min runtime, 3rd period - last 10 min stoptime