The 2016 Australian Junior Ice Hockey League playoffs got underway with the State Finals held from 19 February to 21 February. All three states competed in a two-game series over the weekend with the winner from each state advancing the 2016 AJIHL finals in Penrith. Should a final series be tied at one apiece after Game Two, the teams will play in a sudden death 10-minute period followed by a shootout if necessary.
The Melbourne Glaciers, Perth Sharks and Sydney Sabres all advanced to next weekend’s 2016 AJIHL finals in Penrith following their State Finals series wins. The Melbourne Glaciers will take on the Sydney Sabres in the first semifinal. The winner will head straight to the grand final while the loser will have to take the winner of the second semifinal for a second chance spot in the grand final. The Perth Sharks will face off against wildcard tournament winner, the Brisbane Blitz, in the second semifinal with the winner advancing to the qualifying final against the loser of the first semifinal. The semifinal rankings are determined by the results of the interstate games. As the two Perth teams only travel to one State per season their interstate away games count as double points. See below for the interstate standings.
For more information see the leagues Facebook page including the full seasons schedule.
New South Wales State Finals
- Game 1: Sydney Sabres 4 – 3 Sydney Wolf Pack (17:00, 20 February 2016, Penrith Ice Palace)
Game Car - Game 2: Sydney Wolf Pack 1 – 2 Sydney Sabres (17:00, 21 February 2016, Penrith Ice Palace)
Game Card - Sydney Sabres win series 2-0.
Victorian State Finals
- Game 1: Melbourne Whalers 1 – 4 Melbourne Glaciers (15:45, 20 February 2016, O’Brien Group Arena)
Game Card - Game 2: Melbourne Glaciers 9 – 0 Melbourne Whalers (15:45, 21 February 2016, O’Brien Group Arena)
Game Card - Melbourne Glaciers win series 2-0.
Western Australian State Finals
- Game 1: Perth Sharks 1 – 2 Perth Pelicans (19:45, 19 February 2016, Cockburn Ice Arena)
Game Card - Game 2: Perth Pelicans 1 – 5 Perth Sharks (18:00, 21 February 2016, Xtreme Ice Arena)
Game Card: Not Available - Overtime: Perth Pelicans 0 – 1 Perth Sharks (goal scored by Tomek Sak)
- Perth Sharks win series following sudden death overtime after games split 1-1.
Interstate standings (to determine semifinal rankings):
| Team | GP | W | SOW | SOL | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Sabres | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| Sydney Wolf Pack | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| Melbourne Glaciers | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Perth Sharks | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Perth Pelicans | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| Melbourne Whalers | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
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