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Photo: Brave captain Kai Miettinen by David Tate

The Caribou CBR Brave are back in action this weekend, in a top of the conference showdown with long-time rivals the Newcastle Northstars invading the Brave Cave on Saturday afternoon.
 
The conference leading Caribou CBR Brave are coming off an impressive 8-2 outing last weekend against the Melbourne Mustangs.
 
The Brave started with a strong showing from key locals Casey Kubara, Kai Miettinen, Joey Hughes and even a cameo appearance by Bayley Kubara. Add that one to the game-winning goals tally!
 
Import forward Austin Albrecht drove the proverbial stake through the hearts of Mustangs fans with a natural hat-trick in the third to seal the win and the adoration of the Brave faithful.
 
The Northstars are similarly coming off a successful outing against the ‘Stangs last Saturday, however they then backed up on Sunday, picking up the win in a tight 6-5 contest against the Perth Thunder who came into the contest after handing the Sydney Bears their second loss of the season.
 

Keys to the Game

 

Aussie talent between the pipes!

Both the Caribou CBR Brave and the Newcastle Northstars bucked the league trend in electing to back the quality of their local netminders. The Brave with young guns and crowd favourites Aleksi Toivonen and Alex Tetreault. The Northstars are similarly backing local young guns Ethan Spelde, Matt Montgomery and Charlie Smart. 
 
The quality of Australia’s goaltending future will be on full display in the Brave Cave, but the question will remain who has the edge?
 
On paper it reads well for the Brave with the experience and the stats showing the combination of Toivonen and Tetreault combining for a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.9 and a combined save percentage (SV%) of .909. The Northstars trio on the other hand are a combined 8.1 GAA and .781 SV%. Smart being the standout of the three with a 3.5 GAA and .867 SV% makes the choice clear for the ‘Stars against the all-round fire power of the Brave.
 

Photo: Brave goaltender Alex Tetreault by David Tate
 

The return of the Doctor!

An absolute fan favourite during his four years in the blue and gold, Wehebe Darge returns to the Brave Cave once again, but this time in the enemy colours of red and blue.
 
‘The Doctor’ still holds a place in the heart of the Brave Cave, no doubt, he will surely remember  how formidable it can be on the other side.
 
Having played the majority of his 241 game AIHL career for the Adelaide Adrenaline, Darge would no doubt not only remember the dark days before the Brave, but also the meteoric rise of club like a phoenix from the ashes to the perennial contender that we know and love today.
 

Head-to-Head

The last time these two teams met, it was a tight 4-3 contest at the Brave Cave with the Brave taking home the cookies. It is important to recall that this was before the additions of Plouffe, Albrecht and Vance to the lineup of outstanding local talent that the Brave boasts.
 
The Brave v Northstars series is already the one to watch in the Rurak conference with the Brave narrowly edging the Northstars on the table.
 
The Northstars come to the Brave Cave with an 8-3 record and an offence struggling to cover defensive struggles, racking up 60 goals and 114 assists for a healthy total of 174 points, however a defence giving away an average of 4.64 goals per game, combines for a paltry +9 goal differential.
 
The Caribou CBR Brave hold a similar record at 8-2-1-, however boast numbers in stark contrast. The Brave have kicked into another gear since the return of Australian representatives from World's and the addition of several key imports.
 
The Brave boast plenty of offensive capability and hold a +28 goal differential, averaging 5.17 goals per game and a conceding a stingy 2.8 goals per game.
 
Regardless, it is always a spectacle when the Northstars come to the middle of nowhere and the Brave cave is sure to be absolutely pumping on Saturday! This is one game you won't want to miss!
 
#AlwaysBrave #WeAreCBR #Brave2k23
 

The details

Tickets: Caribou CBR Brave v Newcastle Northstars
Puck Drop: 5:00pm
When: Saturday, 15 June 2023
Where: The Brave Cave (Phillip Ice Skating Centre) – 1 Irving Street, Phillip ACT
Cost: Tickets start from $15