Canberra Brave clinched a play-off berth with seven games left in the Australian Ice Hockey League season after thrashing Adelaide Adrenaline 6-0 on Sunday.
Brave continued their "dream season" with the second shutout in the club history and sit 14 points clear on top of the table after beating Adelaide twice in Canberra over the weekend.
Canberra's Hayden Dawes at the Brave Cave on Sunday.
Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
In a 28-game season no team has missed finals after hitting 50 competition points and Canberra passed that mark with the thumping victory on Sunday.
It was skipper Mark Rummukainen's first game of the season as the veteran defender works his way back from a tricep injury that saw him miss last year's grand final.
The 36-year-old debuted for Canberra in 1998 and won the Goodall Cup in his first season.
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Rummukainen hung tough through the lean years in the capital and after two decades between drinks, he's determined to lift the trophy again.
"That was a major factor in me wanting to come back. Ive thought for the last couple of years that maybe its time to hang them up, I'm getting a bit long in the tooth, but its just too much fun," Rummukainen said.
"The group we have this year is pretty special, obviously we're top of ladder and it's a good chance to succeed and I just want to be a part of it however I can.
"Since the Brave started [in 2014] we've been in the finals every year and were just building and going from strength to strength.
Canberra's Kai Miettinen getting checked by Adelaide's Zach Boyle.
Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
"I'm just trying to work my way onto the roster because weve got a lot of guys playing really well. So I wasn't coming in expecting to get a regular shift.
"I broke my arm two weeks out from finals last year, so 100 per cent I wanted to come back and win it. I just want to bring whatever I can to help the team win."
Rummukainen ruled out retiring this season and admits his long injury layoff gave him a renewed perspective of how lucky he is to play for the Brave.
"It's a fun organisation to be a part of and a great group of guys to play with, if I can keep playing until, whenever, Ill just keep going as long as it's fun," Rummukainen said.
"Its very special to be a part of this team and its probably not until you're injured and can't do it anymore that you realise that. You dont know what you've got until it's gone."
Canberra coach Rob Starke praised his men for punching their finals ticket more than a month from the play-offs.
"At the beginning of the season we were aiming to finish top four and weve certainly done that, now were looking forward to tuning things up in August," Starke said.
"The expectation was top four and finishing in first place would be a tremendous accomplish and great momentum to take into finals.
"Its been a dream season and hopefully we can finish it on top."
Canberra's Kai Miettinen.
Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
Goaltenders Matt Hewitt and Alex Tetreault secured the shutout with 16 saves between them, while imports Ainars Podzins and Trevor Gerling scored doubles on Sunday.
"Our goaltenders played very well. Alex has been out for a number of weeks now so it was good to see him stand tall and get the job done," Stake said.
Canberra face the Sydney Ice Dogs and Newcastle Northstars on the road next week.
"Those two teams are fighting for play-off spot and will be engaged, so we have to continue to play Brave hockey and not let up at all," Starke said.
AT A GLANCE:
Saturday: Canberra Brave 5 bt Adelaide Adrenaline 2
Sunday: Canberra Brave 6 bt Adelaide Adrenaline 0
