AIHL Finals San Jose vs Steel City

[warrior88]

The Inaugural AIHL Finals are between the San Jose Pirates and the Steel City Phantoms. San Jose comes in not losing a playoff game yet, while Steel City comes in after upsetting Long Island.

San Jose's playoff run

Swept NorCal Mustangs
Swept Oakland Goodlife
Swept Tuscon Desperados

Steel City's playoff run

Beat Philadelphia in 3
Beat South Hampton in 3
Beat Long Island in 3

Top Players

San Jose

Kelly Spain - has 83 points(33g,50a) this season
Matt Smith - has 64 points(31g,33a) this season
Jon King - has 58 points(31g,27a) this season
Adam DeKeyrel - has 62 points(33g,29a) this season
Tony Hartman - undefeated in playoffs with a 4.46 GAA

Steel City

Dustin Roux - has 77 points(32g,45a) this season
Sean Masem - has 47 points(29g,18a) this season
Dave Thomas - has 36 points(23g,13a) this season
Chris Weiss - has 15 points(5g,11a) this playoffs
Steve Baker - 6-2 record with a 3.02 GAA in playoffs

If anyone has anymore info on these two teams please post it, I think this will be a great series. Im picking San Jose in 7, whats everybody else's predictions?

[icehog]

Hmmm Steel City is from Pittsburgh and they are playing a team called the Pirates ?

[NC Mustangs]

I am looking forward to this great match up, I know this series won't disappoint roller hockey fans. I can tell you from battling all season that the San Jose Pirates are a very talented team. I got my first taste of Steel City Phantoms hockey last week in the Eastern Conference Finals and this is going to be a don't want to miss series.

I have one thing to say to Steel City. Stay out of the penalty box as the Pirates are tough to kill.

Good luck to all involved.

[Drexel63]

San Jose in 7 is a tough pick... Steel City's conditioning is top notch... if this series goes the distance, I find it hard to believe that anyone can keep up with the kids from Pittsburgh...

[DCbullets14]

Steel City will need all of its players to win this. They spent half the season traveling with only a few players. So far their attendance has been strong in the playoffs if this continues they will be tough to beat. It will be key for them to stay out of the penalty box and in this league it is going to be very hard to win if you playing a man down mos tof the game.

I dont really know anything about the Pirates but to beat steel city they are going to have to skate, limit the odd man rushes and really control the puck when they get it. If they try to play a run and gun game with Steel City I doubt they will be successful.

[bulldog22]

I wouldn't call Steel City beating Long Island an upset. I think from the scores, and winning 3 of 4 games, its obvious they were the better team.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

I wouldn't call Steel City beating Long Island an upset. I think from the scores, and winning 3 of 4 games, its obvious they were the better team.

I too would not call it an upset. I think both teams, although very different in style, were very evenly matched. It was a fantastic series to watch and to broadcast. It really could have gone either way.

[waitingalot]

Should be a good series. Its tough to tell who is gonna win, so Im gonna guess that Steel City wins in 6.

[alex]

Assuming neither team is significantly shorthanded, Steel City in five.

[jawz&chum]

As a former Phantom and now playing against the Pirates out west I have to say this should be an outstanding series. The pirates are one of the biggest teams in the league while SC is one of the fastest. Both teams have outstanding goaltenders and several highly skilled forwards. Both teams also have years of experience playing together. I expect it to be very close.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I'm going to be covering TORHS and the AAU Junior Olympics "live," but will miss the AIHL Finals. Is anyone playing interested in blogging about the tournament for IHC?