The Canberra Brave warmed up for their second crack at the Australian Ice Hockey League championship, thumping the Sydney Ice Dogs 7-2 at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre on Saturday night.
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Stephen Blunden was firing on all cylinders with four goals while fellow Canadian Kyle Geoffrey continued his impressive debut season with a double.
The Brave had already confirmed their place at next weekend's AIHL finals at the Icehouse in Melbourne where they will face either the Melbourne Ice or minor premiers, the Newcastle North Stars, in the semi-finals.
It's the second-straight finals appearance for the Brave after they were the competition's Cinderella story last season, rising from the ashes of the Canberra Knights to reach the play-offs.
Brave coach Josh Unice said his side was peaking at the right time of the season.
"Our last four games before tonight were against two of the top teams in the league and we went 3-1," Unice said.
"I think we have a chance.
"We have to play a lot better than tonight, we were a little unmotivated, but when you score seven goals you should win a game."
The Brave rested outstanding goal-tender Aleksi Toivonen ahead of the play-offs and gave a debut to 17-year-old Alex Tetreault.
Goals to Geoffrey and Blunden put the hosts up 2-0 after the first period.
The scoring picked up after the break with Blunden racking up three goals for the period, and four for the game, and Geoffrey the other goal as the Brave went up 6-1 after two.
Ryan Johnson scored with a minute to go to celebrate the team's final home game of the season.
Australian Ice Hockey League: Canberra Brave 7 (Stephen Blunden 4, Kelly Geoffrey 2, Ryan Johnson) bt Sydney Ice Dogs 2 at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre on Saturday night.
