AIHL Review: Thunder and Northstars level at the top as Mustangs explode into finals race

James Lane

After Week 13, Perth and Newcastle sit locked together on 44 points, while Melbourne Mustangs have surged into genuine contention just behind them. The weekend also saw some huge individual performances, with Kale Costa and David Gaeta producing standout offensive displays.

Newcastle Northstars 6 – 3 Sydney Bears

The Northstars continued their push for the minor premiership with a strong win over the Bears.

The teams traded even periods in the first and third, but Newcastle created the separation in the middle frame with a decisive 3–0 period.

Evgenii Skachkov was again at the centre of the attack, finishing with two goals and three assists as the Northstars kept pace at the top of the ladder.

Sydney Ice Dogs 9 – 7 Brisbane Lightning

The Ice Dogs survived a late scare after building a huge early advantage.

Sydney came flying out of the blocks, dominating the opening period 6–2 and creating enough of a buffer to withstand Brisbane’s response.

The Lightning fought back throughout the remainder of the game, with Tanner Hopps producing a strong individual effort of one goal and four assists. But the story belonged to Kale Costa, who delivered one of the best games of the season with five goals and an assist.

Melbourne Mustangs 7 – 1 Adelaide Adrenaline

The Mustangs continued their late-season surge with another dominant victory over Adelaide.

The Adrenaline briefly gave themselves hope by scoring in the opening period, but they failed to find the net again as Melbourne controlled the remainder of the contest.

Perth Thunder 4 – 3 Melbourne Ice (OT)

Perth needed overtime to edge Melbourne in one of the tightest games of the round.

Every regulation period ended 1–1, with neither side able to create separation. Peter Hrehorcak eventually proved the difference, scoring the overtime winner to keep the Thunder level with Newcastle.

Newcastle Northstars 9 – 5 Brisbane Lightning

Newcastle completed a six-point weekend, but Brisbane made them work for it.

The Lightning were competitive in the first and third periods, actually winning those combined 4–3. But the second period decided everything, with Newcastle exploding for six goals while conceding just once.

Sydney Bears 5 – 2 Central Coast Rhinos

The Bears returned to winning ways with a composed performance against the Rhinos.

A dominant 3–0 opening period gave Sydney control, and although the second period went scoreless and the third finished 2–2, the damage had already been done.

Melbourne Mustangs 9 – 1 Adelaide Adrenaline

The Mustangs finished their weekend with another demolition of Adelaide.

Melbourne turned a comfortable win into a rout with a six-goal final period. David Gaeta was unstoppable, scoring four goals and adding an assist in a huge attacking display.

Melbourne Ice 6 – 2 Perth Thunder

The Thunder’s perfect weekend hopes disappeared in Melbourne as the Ice produced one of their best wins of the season.

Tyrone Bronte led the way with two goals and two assists, helping Melbourne secure a valuable victory over one of the league’s top sides.

Standings

The race for first place is now officially a two-horse battle. Newcastle and Perth are locked together on 44 points, with the Northstars holding the advantage only on tiebreakers.

Melbourne Mustangs have become the biggest movers, climbing to 41 points and putting themselves firmly in the conversation for a top-two finish.

Canberra remain fourth on 35, while the Bears (34) and Ice Dogs (33) continue their battle for playoff positioning. Melbourne Ice are not far behind on 32 and have quietly put together a strong finish to the season. The Rhinos remain on 26, while Brisbane sit on 22 and Adelaide remain last on 7.