AIHL Review: Northstars return to the summit as Rhinos stumble through difficult weekend

James Lane

A shortened Week 4 schedule still brought movement at the top of the AIHL ladder. Central Coast entered the round in first place but left it heavily bruised after back-to-back blowout losses, while Newcastle reclaimed top spot in emphatic fashion.

Melbourne Mustangs 6 – 1 Central Coast Rhinos

Saturday opened with the Mustangs producing one of their most complete performances of the season, overpowering the Rhinos from the outset.

A 3–0 first period immediately put Central Coast on the back foot, and they never recovered. Davide Gaeta and Colin McIntosh both finished with two goals and an assist as Melbourne controlled the game from start to finish.

For the Rhinos, who had looked one of the league’s sharpest attacking teams through the opening weeks, it was the beginning of a rough weekend.

Sydney Bears 4 – 1 Melbourne Ice

The Bears continued their steady climb up the standings with a controlled 4–1 win over the Ice.

Sydney never really allowed Melbourne into the game, banking another important result to move into striking distance of the top four.

Newcastle Northstars 8 – 1 Central Coast Rhinos

If Saturday was difficult for the Rhinos, Sunday was brutal.

Newcastle dismantled Central Coast 8–1 in a statement performance that sent the Northstars back to the top of the table. The Rhinos failed to score until the third period after dropping both opening periods 3–0.

Santeri Haarala again starred for Newcastle, piling up two goals and four assists in another dominant offensive display. After briefly surrendering first place last week, the Northstars responded exactly how contenders should.

Sydney Ice Dogs 6 – 3 Melbourne Mustangs

The Ice Dogs closed the weekend with an impressive win over the Mustangs in a game that initially looked set for a shootout.

The teams were level 2–2 after a frantic opening period, but Sydney gradually pulled away as the game wore on, handing Melbourne a split weekend after their strong Saturday performance.

Standings

Newcastle are back on top with 14 points after their huge win over Central Coast, while the Thunder and Rhinos sit level behind them on 12. The Mustangs remain well positioned on 11 despite Sunday’s loss, with the Bears quietly climbing into fifth on 10.

The Ice Dogs improved to 8 points and remain firmly in the mix, while Canberra and Brisbane are sitting on 6. Melbourne Ice stay on 5, and Adelaide remain last despite picking up their first win last week.