MELBOURNE – The Newcastle North Stars have captured their fifth Goodall Cup in team history, defeating the Melbourne Ice 3-2 in overtime in a dramatic Australian Ice Hockey League grand final.

North Stars’ forward Brian Bales was the hero at the Medibank Icehouse, scoring a penalty shot in overtime to cap off an incredible season in which Newcastle were also crowned regular season champions.

Veteran Ice defenceman Todd Graham made the costly penalty in overtime, hooking the Alaska native on a breakaway. Bales managed to slip the puck above goaltender Alex Leclerc's right shoulder.

Leclerc, who had won nine straight games coming into the grand final, could do nothing to stop Bales' penalty shot after making 28 saves in regulation, and the North Stars celebrated their first Goodall Cup since 2008.

“It’s a sudden death game and it was a definite penalty shot,” North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said. “[Brian] refused all year to participate in shootouts because he doesn’t like doing it!”

“I want to personally credit the Melbourne Ice,” he added. “That was just a phenomenal game of hockey. There was not a dirty moment, not a cynical penalty.”

Newcastle’s Canadian import Geordie Wudrick, who broke AIHL records for goals and points in a season, opened the scoring, before Thomas Powell levelled the game. North Stars defenceman Jan Safar broke the tie late in the third period and looked to have won the game but Ice forward Mitchell Humphries sent the game to overtime.

Goaltender Dayne Davis made 37 saves in the win for Newcastle, who many feared would not reach the final after losing star forward Luke Moffat to overseas duties.

Newcastle gained the early ascendancy and Wudrick opened the scoring midway through the first period, burying a chance at the back post set up by Bales’ wrap-around effort. Wudrick’s goal came as no surprise, given that the Canadian rewrote the record books by posting an incredible 91 points in 28 regular season games, and five more in two playoff games to earn both the League and Playoff MVP awards.

The visiting North Stars looked the superior team for most of the period but an uncharacteristic giveaway in the defensive zone by Safar gifted Melbourne’s Powell the puck in the high slot. The AIHL's leading local-born scorer made no mistake, firing a slap shot past Davis to tie the game.

Despite the setback, Newcastle showed their regular season form in the second period with numerous chances. Centreman Scott Swiston was twice denied by incredible stops by Leclerc.

Wudrick, who scored a hat-trick in Newcastle’s comeback win over Canberra in the semi-final, also looked to capitalise but Leclerc stood tall in net.

Davis was rarely tested early on, but yet more bad turnovers from his defensemen saw Safar take a tripping penalty.

On the ensuing powerplay, the Ice wrestled the momentum back. Winger Matt Armstrong had a chance saved while veteran Lliam Webster’s one-timer from the right point rang off the post.

The physicality picked up late in the period, and with two minutes remaining, Bales looked to have broken the deadlock. The North Stars’ leading local scorer deked around an Ice defenceman from the right and squeezed the puck underneath Leclerc as the net came off its moorings. But the on-ice referee waved off the goal.

The third period was another tight tussle. Graham had a good chance with a wrist shot from the point hitting traffic in front of Davis, who scrambled to keep a rolling puck from finding the twine.

Safar then made up for his earlier mistake, putting the North Stars ahead with just three minutes left. With the teams skating 4-on-4, Swiston gained the zone and made a drop pass from the point for the trailing Safar, who rifled a slap shot high past Leclerc’s blocker. The Czech d-man then celebrated by honouring his NHL countryman with a Jaromir Jagr salute.

But with less than 50 seconds remaining and time dwindling, the game turned again. With the North Stars on the power play, the Ice pulled their goalie in desperation.

But the Ice’s gamble paid off late. Winger Jason Baclig made a stretch pass to Armstrong who ripped a shot from the right half-wall and Humphries defected the effort behind Davis sending the game to overtime and the 2000-strong crowd into rapture.

Bales then grabbed the headlines to cap off an incredible season for his side.

“It’s a great feeling,” said North Stars assistant coach Ray Sheffield. “We had a lot of support here in Melbourne and I can’t believe this many people came down to watch.”

Sheffield was especially proud of Safar, who was named AIHL defenceman of the year.

“He said that was the first award he’s ever won; kind of brought me to tears,” he said. “The guy is a special player.”

“I’m very happy for all these guys and the team in general. We just had a great year.”

The game attracted a wide audience, with reports people from 54 nations live-streamed the game around the world.

TREVOR ALLEN

AIHL award winners

Playoff MVP: Geordie Wudrick, Newcastle North Stars
Australian Player of Year: Wehebe Darge, Adelaide Adrenaline
League MVP: Geordie Wudrick, Newcastle North Stars
Best Rookie: Kieran Webster, Perth Thunder
Best Defenseman: Jan Safar, Newcastle North Stars
Best Goaltender: Kamil Jarina, Sydney Bears
Coach of the year: Dave Kenway, Perth Thunder

AIHL Finals Series

Semi-final 1: Newcastle North Stars d Canberra Brave 4-3
Semi-final 2: Melbourne Ice d Perth Thunder 1-0
Grand Final: Newcastle North Stars d Melbourne Ice 3-2 OT