The 2015 Champions and most successful club in AIHL history – the Newcastle North Stars - are back in the AIHL Finals, looking to go back-to-back for the first time since the 2005 & 2006 seasons. 10 years on from that achievement, the side is well placed to lift the trophy for a sixth time.

While the North Stars had a mixed final weekend of AIHL action with a big win and a shootout loss to finish third overall, Head Coach Andrew Petrie was positive about his side’s prospects.

“We're feeling pretty good and pretty confident,” Petrie began. “We've had four weeks of really high intensity, high-flow practices and the boys are clicking. The confidence in the group is high and we are injury free so we're comfortable with where we are at"

Now knocking on the door of the weekend, Petrie outlined the hard work the club has been putting in practice in order to peak at the right time.

“We constructed a final four weeks practice plan and we will complete that structure as this week,” he said. “Basically it’s 30 minutes of high-tempo flow drills, fine-tuning our systems and then a little bit of fun at the end. At this point, we feel that if we finish practice with a laugh and have everyone covered in sweat then we’ve done a good job.”

From an outsider's perspective, the pressure of winning the Cup seems to be reduced, and the bond between the team seems strong.

“In the dressing room it's really not that different to last year,” Petrie said. “It actually feels similar in terms of the way the group has gelled. We had a tight-knit group last year, and we have that again, just with different people. Everyone is putting in and there's a lot of respect amongst the players and staff. We're are really fortunate from that perspective."

Looking to the weekend, the North Stars are determined not to look too far ahead with two tough games to win before anyone lifts the Goodall Cup.

“We are really looking forward to playing against Perth on Saturday,” he said. “We find that the teams match up well. Games have been competitive all year; all four games were one-goal games and we feel like we have a really good understanding of what they bring to the table. They’re a class organisation that has put a strong culture in place, quite similar to ourselves, and it should be another battle.”

“To be honest, I am just happy that the playoffs are here and I can assure you, all of our focus will be on the Perth Thunder. I'll have an eye on the Ice v Brave game of course and I think Melbourne's consistency and locker-room harmony makes them favourites in that game but these 'one and done' contest can go either way. As far as I'm concerned, the Sunday game isn't on my radar right now and it won’t be until it becomes a reality."

Having been to the pinnacle last season, the North Stars know how to get the job done and have built a winning culture throughout its storied history. Whether this weekend will add a new glorious chapter of victory or not remains to be seen.

The Newcastle North Stars face the Perth Thunder in the second semi-final at 6.30pm on Saturday night with the winner to play winner of the Melbourne Ice-CBR Brave semi-final in the Grand Final on Sunday at 3pm.