AIHL Review: Ice Dogs explode into contention as Lightning stun leaders

James Lane

For weeks it looked like Newcastle were beginning to pull away from the pack. Week 7 changed that in a hurry. The Northstars suffered a shock home defeat, the Ice Dogs piled on 19 goals across two games, and Brisbane reminded everyone they are capable of troubling anyone on their day. With the standings tightening rapidly, the race at the top suddenly looks far more interesting.

Melbourne Ice 6 – 3 Melbourne Mustangs

Friday night opened with the Ice picking up a valuable win over their cross-town rivals.

The game was evenly balanced at 1–1 after the first period, but the second period proved decisive. Melbourne Ice scored four times while restricting the Mustangs to just one, creating a gap that proved too much to overcome.

Sydney Ice Dogs 11 – 5 Central Coast Rhinos

Saturday’s headline scoreline came from Sydney, where the Ice Dogs dismantled one of the competition’s top sides.

The Rhinos failed to score in the opening period and managed only one goal through the second before a four-goal third period made the final margin look far closer than the game itself had been.

Grant Toulmin was magnificent, recording a goal and six assists, while Kale Costa continued his outstanding season with three goals and three assists.

Brisbane Lightning 7 – 3 Newcastle Northstars

Just one week after being outscored 20–7 across a double-header against Newcastle, Brisbane delivered one of the biggest upsets of the season.

The Lightning travelled to Newcastle and handed the league leaders a convincing defeat, effectively reversing the result from the previous weekend.

Tanner Hopps starred with two goals and four assists, while Alex Campbell added a goal and four assists as Brisbane’s attack clicked into gear.

Melbourne Mustangs 7 – 4 Adelaide Adrenaline

The Mustangs rebounded immediately from Friday night’s defeat, seeing off Adelaide in another high-scoring affair.

For the Adrenaline, the season continues to become increasingly difficult. They remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder and are still searching for their first regulation-time victory.

Perth Thunder 6 – 1 Sydney Bears

Perth continued their strong campaign with a dominant home performance against the Bears.

The Thunder kept Sydney scoreless until the third period and never looked seriously troubled as they strengthened their position among the competition’s frontrunners.

Melbourne Ice 9 – 5 Adelaide Adrenaline

Sunday’s clash between the bottom two sides produced plenty of offence.

After a 2–2 opening period, the Ice blew the game apart with a 5–2 second period. Mackenzie Caruana was at the heart of the victory, finishing with two goals and four assists.

Canberra Brave 4 – 3 Central Coast Rhinos

Canberra backed up one of the surprise wins of last week with another impressive result.

The Brave did all their scoring by the second intermission and then held firm through a scoreless final period to edge the Rhinos and continue their climb up the standings.

Sydney Ice Dogs 8 – 7 Brisbane Lightning

The final game of the weekend may well have been the most entertaining.

Brisbane stormed out to a 4–1 first-period lead and still held a 6–5 advantage after the second. But the Ice Dogs refused to go away, scoring three times in the third while conceding just once to complete a remarkable comeback.

Tanner Hopps followed up his big Saturday performance with another five-point outing, collecting three goals and two assists for Brisbane. For Sydney, Shane Hanna proved the difference with four goals in a match packed with attacking highlights.

Standings =

Newcastle remain on top with 26 points, but their lead has shrunk considerably after dropping a game to Brisbane. The Ice Dogs are now up to second on 23 after a huge weekend, while Perth sit just one point further back on 22.

The Mustangs and Rhinos are level on 20 points, although Central Coast’s back-to-back losses have stalled what once looked like a genuine push for top spot. The Bears remain sixth on 18.

Further down, Canberra have moved to 12 points and are beginning to build momentum, while Melbourne Ice improve to 11. Brisbane’s strong weekend lifts them to 10, and Adelaide remain last on 3.

A month ago Newcastle looked untouchable. Now the top five are separated by just six points, and every weekend seems capable of producing another twist.