AIHL Week 14 Power Rankings

James Lane

The Brave lit a fire under the AIHL playoff race this weekend, snapping the Ice’s long winning streak and shaking up the chasing pack. But while some teams made noise, the ladder remains mostly steady, at least for now.

Here’s how the power rankings stand after Week 14:

1. Melbourne Ice (Last week: 1)

Two regulation losses in Canberra is a first this season, and Sunday’s 9–3 blowout will sting. But the Ice still hold a seven-point buffer atop the ladder, and one bad weekend doesn’t undo eleven straight wins. This is certainly a warning sign, but not a crisis, at least yet.

2. Perth Thunder (Last week: 2)

Saturday’s shutout loss to Newcastle was disappointing, but the response (a 10–1 demolition of the Rhinos) was emphatic. Thunder stay in second and continue to be one of the league’s most dangerous when firing.

3. Canberra Brave (Last week: 5)

No team had taken down the Ice since May. The Brave just did it twice in two days. Kale Costa and Jesperi Viikila were electric, and the five-goal second period on Sunday will live long in memory. This team’s heating up at the right time, and deservedly leapfrog into third.

4. Newcastle Northstars (Last week: 3)

A strong 4–0 win over the Thunder shows Newcastle are still a serious threat, but their idle Sunday hurts in comparison to Canberra’s full sweep.

5. Brisbane Lightning (Last week: 4)

Didn’t play, and they fall a spot only because Canberra earned it.

6. Melbourne Mustangs (Last week: 6)

Saturday’s 5–1 loss was poor, and while the Sunday comeback showed grit, it’s hard to ignore the overall downward trend.

7. Adelaide Adrenaline (Last week: 7)

Saturday’s dominant win over the Mustangs was their highlight, with Coy Prevost and Nathaniel Benson leading the charge. Sunday’s collapse after a 2–0 lead will sting, though. Still, this team has fight, and maybe a bit more potential than their record shows.

8. Central Coast Rhinos (Last week: 8)

Another week, another heavy loss. Eighteen defeats and counting, and Sunday’s 10–1 loss to Perth may have been the worst of the lot. They remain at the bottom with little sign of change.