Tasmania's dream of a second national hockey title disappeared in a nightmare start to their Hockey One semi-final on Saturday.
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Returning to the scene of last month's 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Brisbane Blaze, the Tigers were suffering deja vu when they found themselves 3-0 down after just six minutes en route to a 7-1 loss.
Captain Eddie Ockenden's hopes of repeating the team's 2014 Australian Hockey League title were undone by his Kookaburras teammate Jake Whetton.
A field goal and subsequent conversion had the Blaze in control before Jacob Anderson added a field goal and Joel Rintala converted a penalty corner to establish a 4-0 lead after 25 minutes.
A Jeremy Hayward penalty corner reduced the arrears two minutes after half-time.
But Blake Wotherspoon soon restored the home side's four-goal advantage and his older brother Dylan added a field goal and conversion with five minutes remaining.
The loss is a disappointing end to the inaugural Hockey One season for Andrew McDonald's tight-knit side.
After two defeats in their first three matches the Tigers bounced back with big wins over Canberra Chill (6-2) and Western Australia Thundersticks (4-0) and a dramatic come-from-behind 6-5 victory over HC Melbourne.
Brisbane Blaze will play in next week's grand final against the undefeated NSW Pride who defeated Melbourne HC 6-2 in the other semi-final.
The finalists were the top two finishers in the home and away campaign.