AIHL Power Rankings Week 16

James Lane

There’s been no shortage of fireworks in Week 16, but with just a few rounds left before finals, the dust is beginning to settle. For the contenders, it was all about jostling for seeding. For the chasing pack, desperation is setting in. Here’s how the league stacks up after another telling weekend.

1. Melbourne Ice (Last Week: 1)

The Ice remain untouchable. A 10–6 shootout win over Brisbane on Sunday showcased their absurd firepower, headlined by a monster night from David Booth (5G, 3A). Joakim Erdugan and Kolton Shindle each chimed in with five-point games as well, cementing Melbourne’s place at the summit. With an 18-point lead atop the table, they’re miles ahead of the pack.

2. Perth Thunder (Last Week: 2)

It was a weekend of opposites for Perth, who pummelled Canberra 11–2 on Saturday, only to fall 6–3 in the rematch a day later. Yu Hikosaka (4G, 2A) and Robert Lachowicz (5A) were lights-out in the opener, but a second-period collapse on Sunday cost them the sweep. Still, they remain second and showed enough firepower to justify holding this spot.

3. CBR Brave (Last Week: 3)

Canberra’s Sunday win in Perth was gutsy and well-earned. Bouncing back from an 11–2 humiliation takes character, and the Brave showed plenty of it in their 6–3 win. They stay in third, close behind Perth in both form and table position. That first game loss, though, is a warning sign, and they can’t afford lapses like that come playoff time.

4. Newcastle Northstars (Last Week: 4)

Another week, another win for the Northstars, who outclassed the Rhinos 6–3. Evgenii Skachkov’s hat trick and Wehebe Darge’s 1G/3A night highlighted a team humming at the right time. The win keeps them locked in the mid-tier playoff fight with Brave and Thunder. For now, they stay fourth, but they’re closing fast.

5. Melbourne Mustangs (Last Week: 7)

Just when the season looked like slipping away, the Mustangs found their stride. An 8–4 win over Brisbane was decisive, with Dean Klomp orchestrating the attack with four assists. It was their best performance in weeks and enough to vault them two spots to fifth. They’re back in the playoff mix and building momentum.

6. Adelaide Adrenaline (Last Week: 6)

The Adrenaline had the week off, but still find themselves ranked between the Mustangs and Lightning, only now in a reversed order.

7. Brisbane Lightning (Last Week: 5)

It was a grim weekend for the Lightning. Conceding 18 goals across two games (8 to the Mustangs and 10 to the Ice) is hard to ignore. Carson Miller continues to deliver, but he’s not getting nearly enough help. Brisbane swap places with the Mustangs, with their grip on a playoff berth starting to loosen.

8. Central Coast Rhinos (Last Week: 8)

Another week, another loss for the Rhinos. They showed some fight with a strong second period against Newcastle, but that was as good as it got. A 6–3 loss keeps them winless since Round 3, and firmly anchored to the bottom. The gap between them and the rest only grows wider.