AIHL Round Review: Three-way tie at the top as Brave storm into Newcastle

James Lane

The AIHL ladder has been reduced to a remarkable three-way tie at the top. Newcastle, Canberra and Melbourne Mustangs all sit on 59 points after a weekend that saw the Brave make perhaps the biggest statement of the season. Canberra travelled to Newcastle and came away with a convincing win before backing it up against Brisbane, while the Northstars responded on Sunday to remain level with their two closest rivals. At the other end, Adelaide endured another difficult weekend, including a 10–0 shutout loss.

Newcastle Northstars 3 – 6 Canberra Brave

Canberra arrived in Newcastle with the clear intention of taking over at the top of the ladder, and they delivered.

The Brave led 2–1 after the opening period before blowing the game open in the second, adding three more goals to take a 5–2 advantage into the final break.

Newcastle couldn’t find a way back, and the result moved Canberra level with the Northstars on 59 points.

Melbourne Mustangs 7 – 1 Adelaide Adrenaline

The Mustangs had little trouble accounting for Adelaide.

Melbourne raced into a 3–0 lead before the Adrenaline finally found the net in the opening period. It would be their only goal of the game, however, as the Mustangs continued to pull away for a comfortable victory.

Sydney Bears 10 – 5 Perth Thunder

The Bears produced one of the weekend’s biggest attacking displays in a high-scoring affair against Perth.

Despite the 15-goal total, Sydney were never really in danger of losing control. The Bears consistently looked the more convincing side and eventually ran away with a five-goal victory.

Melbourne Ice 10 – 0 Adelaide Adrenaline

There was absolutely no mercy from Melbourne on Sunday.

The Ice completely dismantled Adelaide to record a 10–0 shutout, putting together one of the most dominant performances of the season.

David Booth led the way with three goals and two assists as the Ice cruised to victory.

Canberra Brave 9 – 4 Brisbane Lightning

Canberra’s remarkable weekend continued.

Brisbane actually opened the scoring, but that only seemed to wake the Brave up. Canberra responded with four unanswered goals to establish control and never looked seriously threatened from there.

The nine-goal performance ensured the Brave completed a perfect weekend and remained right in the middle of the premiership fight.

Sydney Ice Dogs 9 – 2 Central Coast Rhinos

The Ice Dogs had little trouble dismantling the Rhinos.

Central Coast were never really in the contest as Sydney controlled proceedings from start to finish. David D’Agostino and Kabore Dunn were both heavily involved with four assists apiece, while Thomas Moncrieff contributed two goals and two assists.

Newcastle Northstars 6 – 3 Perth Thunder

After Saturday’s setback, Newcastle responded exactly as they needed to.

The Thunder were competitive in both the opening and final periods, but a devastating 4–0 second frame proved decisive. Newcastle took advantage of that middle-period collapse before holding Perth at arm’s length in the third.

The win keeps the Northstars level with Canberra and Melbourne at the summit.

Standings

Newcastle, Canberra and Melbourne Mustangs are now completely level on 59 points, setting up an extraordinary finish to the regular season.

Canberra arguably made the biggest statement of the weekend, beating Newcastle away before backing it up against Brisbane. The Northstars recovered against Perth, while the Mustangs continued their steady form with another comfortable win over Adelaide.

Behind the leading trio, Sydney Bears have moved into fourth on 46 points after their big win over Perth, with the Thunder just one point behind on 45.

Melbourne Ice sit on 42, while the Ice Dogs have dropped to 40. Central Coast remain on 30, Brisbane on 27 and Adelaide on 11.