KIHL FINALS SERIES WEEKEND

KIHL FINALS SERIES WEEKEND 

Sting Upset Heavy Favourites Katipō to Claim KIHL Division 1 Title

Kiwi Inline Hockey League Finals Series Weekend

The Sting have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent KIHL history, taking down heavy favourites Katipō 2-1 to win their first Division 1 championship in 5 seasons.

In a Finals Series that had everything — early dominance, momentum swings, and clutch performances — it was the Sting who finished strongest to lift the trophy.

Game 1: Katipō 11 - 6 Sting

Katipō came out looking every bit the favourites. 

Sting dominated the opening minutes and jumped out early, but Katipō wrestled back control late in the first period and never let go. From there it was all Katipō. 

Dan Ohanlon led the charge with 5 goals, while Edwin Quiroz stood tall in net with 31 saves on 37 shots to steady the favourites after the shaky start.  

A convincing 11-6 win put Katipō 1-0 up in the series and reinforced why they went into the weekend as heavy favourites.

Game 2: Sting 8 - 6 Katipō

Sting had other plans. 

Shane McLean came out firing with two quick goals early and finished with 4 on the night. Lincoln Gurnell added 2 of his own to keep the pressure on. In goal, Patrick Watts was outstanding, turning aside 34 of 40 attempts to keep Katipō at bay. 

The 8-6 win tied the series 1-1 and set up a winner-takes-all Game 3.

Game 3: Sting 6 - 3 Katipō

Championship Saturday delivered drama. 

Johnnie Andrews-Nye opened the scoring for Sting, but Katipō answered back. It was 3-3 at halftime and the heavy favourites looked poised to take control. 

The turning point came midway through the second. Lincoln Gurnell buried a power-play goal to put Sting ahead, then capped his night with another to complete his hat-trick. 

From there, Sting locked it down defensively and saw out a 6-3 victory.

With the win, the Sting end a 5-year championship drought and deny Katipō what looked like a certain title after their Game 1 statement.

Final Series Result: Sting win 2-1

Ryan Williams was awarded KIHL Finals Series Most Valuable Player.

It was a weekend that proved finals hockey is about who’s hottest at the right time. And this time, it was the Sting.

Knights Stun Hornets in OT Thriller to Win Fourth Straight Mana Cup

_KIHL Finals Series Recap_

The Hornets came into the Finals as heavy favourites after a dominant regular season. They left with the series MVP, but not the trophy. 

In a three-game classic, the Knights upset the Hornets to claim their fourth consecutive Mana Cup, capping the weekend with a 7-6 overtime win in Game 3.

Game 1: Knights 11 - 4 Hornets

The Knights came out swinging and flipped the script immediately. 

Four goals in the opening 9 minutes put the Hornets on their heels and they never recovered. Tobias Mecking and Matthew Hansen both torched the Hornets' defence for hat-tricks, leading a relentless offensive attack.  

The 11-4 blowout gave the Knights a 1-0 series lead and sent a clear message: this wasn’t going to be a coronation for the Hornets.

Game 2: Hornets 5 - 4 Knights

Backs against the wall, the Hornets responded. 

Joe Dowman delivered when it mattered most, scoring 2 late goals in the first half to give Hornets the momentum. The Knights answered with 2 of their own to tie it up, but the game stayed tight into the second half.  

With time winding down, Adam Lutzbauer buried a late goal to put Hornets ahead. They killed the clock from there to force a decisive Game 3.  

Lutzbauer’s clutch play would set the tone for the rest of his series.

Game 3: Knights 7 - 6 OT Hornets

This was finals hockey at its best.

Knights opened the scoring, Hornets answered. Knights took a 4-2 lead into halftime. Then it became a heavyweight fight — teams traded blows back and forth until the final buzzer sent it to overtime locked at 7-7.

In OT, it was Leroy Blythe who played hero. He found the back of the net to give the Knights the win and seal their fourth straight Mana Cup championship.

Despite the loss, Hornets forward Adam Lutzbauer was named Finals Series MVP for his timely goals and leadership throughout the weekend.

Final Series Result: Knights win 2-1

The Hornets owned the regular season. The Knights owned the moment. Four straight Mana Cups for the Knights — a dynasty that refuses to be denied.