Newcastle Northstars 2 – Canberra Brave 1

Newcastle Northstars have claimed the 2026 Australian Ice Hockey League title. They defeated the Canberra Brave 2–1 at Melbourne’s O’Brien Icehouse on Sunday, ending a decade long wait for the Goodall Cup.

The championship is Newcastle’s seventh Goodall Cup, and their first since winning back to back titles in 2015 and 2016.

Newcastle established control early, scoring twice in the opening period to take a 2–0 lead into the first intermission.

Liam Ryan opened the scoring for the Northstars after receiving a pass from Finnish import Santeri Haarala.

Newcastle then extended its advantage when Evgenii Skachkov scored on the power play late in the opening period. Skachkov had enjoyed an outstanding regular season, finishing with 84 points from 30 games, including 40 goals and 44 assists.

The two-goal advantage gave Newcastle an important platform, but Canberra responded strongly in the second period.

The Brave dominated the second period and eventually reduced the deficit to one.

With Newcastle’s Akihide Watanabe in the penalty box for hooking, Canberra took advantage of the power play, with Jake Radcliffe scoring to make it 2–1.

That set up a tense final period, with the championship still within Canberra’s reach.

The third period belonged to the Northstars’ defense and goaltender Matus Trnka.

Canberra repeatedly pushed forward looking for the equalizer, while Newcastle had to defend a crucial five on three penalty kill.

The Northstars held firm.

Trnka finished the game with 49 saves, while Newcastle’s defensive players repeatedly put their bodies on the line to protect the one goal lead. Canberra finished with 50 shots on goal, compared with 27 for Newcastle.

Despite the sustained pressure from Canberra, the Northstars did not concede another goal.

When the final siren sounded, Newcastle had secured a 2–1 victory and the Goodall Cup.

For Newcastle captain Liam Manwarring, the championship carried particular significance.

Manwarring was part of Newcastle’s 2016 championship team and returned a decade later to captain the Northstars to another Goodall Cup.

After lifting the trophy, Manwarring dedicated the victory to former Northstars player Luke Dore, who is battling motor neuron disease.

Newcastle’s Goodall Cup victory completed a strong 2026 season.

The Northstars finished the regular season in first place, earning the H Newman Reid Trophy for the best regular-season record.

They carried that form into the playoffs.

Newcastle defeated the Sydney Ice Dogs 10–1 in Saturday’s semifinal to book their place in the championship game. The Northstars scored seven goals in the second period before adding three more in the third.

Canberra earned its place in the final with a dramatic 5–4 overtime victory over the Melbourne Mustangs in the other semifinal.

The two sides then met for the Goodall Cup, with Newcastle ultimately prevailing 2–1.

Additionally, Newcastle’s Francis Drolet was recognized for his finals campaign, helping the Newcastle Northstars AIHL champions 2026 win playoff MVP.

Drolet recorded three goals and four assists across Newcastle’s two playoff victories. All three of his goals came in the semifinal win over the Sydney Ice Dogs.

He was also awarded man of the match following the grand final.

The Northstars entered the 2026 finals with the chance to end a 10 year championship drought.

The final score read Newcastle Northstars 2, Canberra Brave 1.

The Goodall Cup is heading back to Newcastle.

The Newcastle Northstars are the 2026 AIHL champions.

Seven Goodall Cups. Ten years between championships. One more title for Newcastle.