NEWCASTLE North Stars came from behind to snatch a thrilling 4-3 win over the Canberra Brace in Melbourne on Saturday to earn a berth in the Australian Ice Hockey League grand final.
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Minor premiers, the North Stars made a horror start and were down 3-0 in the second period before star import Geordie Wudrick came to the rescue.
Rob Malloy struck to spark the North Stars’ come back and Wudrick did the rest.
The Canadian, who supplied a league-record 44 goals and 47 assists in the regular season, scored a double to level at 3-all at the end of the third period.
The with one minute and 11 seconds on the clock, he delivered again, capitalising on a Brave’s error to send the North Stars into to Sunday’s decider.
They will meet the Melbourne Ice in Sunday's final after they defeated the Perth Thunder 1-0 in Saturday night's Second Semi-Final.
North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said relief was the overwhelming emotion after a uncharacteristic performance.
‘‘I think we were trying a little too hard; everyone had too long to think about this game and put too much pressure on themselves,’’ he said.
‘‘Our power play was terrible in the first period.
‘‘But we pulled it back in the second and played our game."
