AIHL stands for the Australian Ice Hockey League. It is a professional ice hockey league in Australia that serves as the top-tier ice hockey competition in the country. The league was established in 2000 and currently consists of eight teams from various cities across Australia.
AIHL is governed by Ice Hockey Australia (IHA), the national governing body for ice hockey in the country. The league follows the rules and regulations of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and holds matches according to IIHF standards.
AIHL features a regular season where each team competes in a series of matches against other teams. The teams accumulate points based on their performance, with victories earning two points and losses resulting in zero points. In case of a tie at the end of regulation time, the league employs overtime and shootout rules to determine a winner.
The league also hosts playoffs at the end of the regular season, where the top four teams compete for the Goodall Cup, which is awarded to the AIHL champion. The playoffs follow a knockout format, with teams battling in a best-of-three series to advance to the next round. The ultimate winner of the playoffs is crowned the AIHL champion.
AIHL has contributed to the growth and development of ice hockey in Australia, attracting both local and international players. The league provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete at a professional level, contributing to the overall advancement of ice hockey in the country.
