Cats eye seventh NBL crown
The Perth Wildcats will equal a world record when they begin their 29th straight finals campaign against the Cairns Taipans tomorrow, but coach Trevor Gleeson says there's only one stat he's worried about - championship No.7.
Tomorrow's semifinals series opener at the Cairns Convention Centre will see the Wildcats equal a streak of play-offs appearances set by American ice hockey team the Boston Bruins from 1968 to 1996.
Gleeson said it was a record the team took pride in and hoped to claim outright next season, but it was secondary to the team's goal of adding to its NBL-record six titles, something it has a chance to do in the next two weeks.
"The torch gets passed so many times along and to do it for 29 years, jeez looking back there I was just finishing school. A couple of these guys weren't even born," Gleeson said.
"It's our time to carry the torch forward and we're proud to get that number, a world-record equalling number, and hopefully there will be a few more years coming down the track.
"That aside, we're after a bigger prize and that's getting the No.7 championship for the club.
"We'll give this thing a real good shake."
The Taipans claimed the first minor premiership in the club's history this season, finishing two wins clear of the New Zealand Breakers on top of the ladder.
However, Taipans coach Aaron Fearne has tried to claim underdog status going into the semi- final.
Gleeson fired back, declaring he would never publicly hose down his team's chances.
"It's just amazing, you come this time of the year and the coach has doubt about their ability. They finished on top," he said.
"We certainly don't doubt our ability and what we're capable of.
"We've had a great lead-in for this, playing Cairns at home and then losing on the buzzer to New Zealand and then another tough game in Adelaide, probably the in-form team of the league, then polish off with Townsville. The guys are ready."
The Wildcats have lost both their games in Cairns this season, but must break that duck if they are to win the best-of-three semifinal series.
