Iceholes claim first berth into the 2017 Backyard Cup Finals

What a difference a year can make. Last season we saw the Iceholes lose in the BHL Conference final for a third time in a 3-0 sweep at the hands of Top Cheese. This season they returned the favour knocking of that same team in a 3 game sweep of thier own.

The Polarbeers claimed thier first Nicholas Betty Trophy thursday night and have now earned the right to represent the Backyard Conference in the franchise's first ever Backyard Cup appearance.

What a year for these Holes ... After placing near the top of the 2015-2016 season but suffering an early playoff exit the Holes were put into the final BHL Lottery. The Lottery proved to be a gamechanger, after winning the Lottery and obtaining the 1st overall pick, the Holes selected NZIHLer Jordan Challis. The season began with some uncertainty with this club as they were slow to get out of the gate and begin to gel. After a huge downhill slide by the Toe Dragons the Holes parts began to fall in line and the club was able to creep in the back door to win the Backyard Division on the last day of the regular season despite being just 1 game over .500 in arguably the league's most competitive division. 

Looking ahead ... the Iceholes now await thier opponent for thier first ever taste of a Backyard Cup Final. Whoever they face will be dealing with an offensive juggarnaut. After just three games Challis leads all BHL playoff scorers with an astounding 15 points (6g,9a) and had an integral part in quickly despatching Top Cheese on thier run to the finals. Maxim Kaluhzny, 2015 BHL Playoff MVP(Dragons) has also been a force notching 7 goals in the last 2 games vs the Cheese including both game winners, he now sits with a BHL leading 10 and has chipped in 2 helpers to sit at 12 points in the postseason. Captain and BHL all-time points leadr Ritchie Hopkinson has also benefitted from the offensive help as he also sits at 12 postseason points. The offence doesnt stop there as the 2017 Backyard Conference Champions lineup features several NZIHL and NZIHL development players with upside, and solid BHL veterans throughout.

FORWARDS

R. Hopkinson - Challis - Kaluhzny

Andrew-Nye  - Hart -  Hansen

Grisdale - Fritsche

DEFENCE

Stirling - Cowsill

Chaykovskiy - Heather

GOAL

M. Hopkinson

The Iceholes will look for thier first Title when they hit the ice Thursday, March 2nd/2017 @ 8:30pm for Game One of the 2017 Backyard Cup Finals !!!