Melbourne Ice Wins 2025 Goodall Cup, Defeating Canberra Brave 7-3
The Melbourne Ice claimed the 2025 Goodall Cup with a thrilling 7-3 victory over the Canberra Brave in last Sunday’s Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) finals at the O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne.
Despite a seemingly one-sided scoreline, the match featured high drama in the second period. The Ice raced to a 3-0 lead after the first period, only for the Brave to fight back and tie the game. A crucial goal late in the second period by Tyrone Bronte helped the Ice regain momentum, and three unanswered goals in the third period sealed their championship victory.
Star Performers
-
David Booth, the 40-year-old former NHL player from Michigan, led the Ice despite joining mid-season. In just 14 games, Booth scored 34 goals and tallied 64 points, including a remarkable five-goal, eight-point game on August 3 against Brisbane. He added an empty-net goal and an assist in the final.
-
Joakim Erdugan, who played all 28 games, tied for fourth in league scoring and also contributed a goal and an assist in the final.
-
Goalie Tatsunoshin Ishida was exceptional throughout the season, leading the league with 16 wins, a 3.37 GAA, and a .908 save percentage, winning both playoff games.
-
Other key players included Nathan Cachia, a Canadian international, and Samuel Bartlett, a 20-year-old U20 standout.
Goodall Cup Legacy
The Goodall Cup, contested annually since 1911, is the third-oldest trophy in ice hockey, after the Stanley Cup (1893) and the Allan Cup (1909). This marks Melbourne Ice’s fifth championship, adding to their previous wins in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017.
Regular Season & Playoffs
The Ice finished the regular season on top with a 20-2-2-4 record and 68 points, well ahead of the second-placed Brave (51 points).
The AIHL playoff format includes:
-
Top 2 teams advancing directly to the semi-finals.
-
#3 vs #6 and #4 vs #5 in the first round.
-
Perth Thunder (#3) defeated Melbourne Mustangs (#6), 5-2.
-
Newcastle Northstars (#4) eliminated Brisbane Lightning (#5), 6-1.
In the semi-finals:
-
Melbourne Ice beat Newcastle Northstars 6-4.
-
Canberra Brave defeated Perth Thunder 6-1.
AIHL and National Team Development
The AIHL serves as a crucial platform for Australia’s senior and U20 national teams. Nearly all players from the 2025 Men’s Worlds II-A in Belgrade represented AIHL teams this season.
-
The Brave had three national team players, including Tommy Steven, Cameron Todd, and Kai Miettinen.
-
Perth Thunder featured Kieren Webster, who scored twice against Israel to help Australia avoid relegation.
Junior talent also thrives in the league. About two-thirds of the U20 national team played in the AIHL this season, with standout performances from Brayden Maybee, Ivan Kuleshov, and Julian Friedrich.
Growing League & International Talent
The AIHL continues to attract players from North America and Europe, strengthening the league’s competitive level and supporting the development of homegrown talent. Melbourne Ice’s championship win underscores the league’s growth and rising standards of play in Australian ice hockey.
