AIHL Week 14 Wrap

James Lane

If there was any doubt the Canberra Brave have become a force to be reckoned with, they put it to bed this weekend, and they shocked Melbourne Ice in the process.

Ice Stunned in Canberra

In the biggest shock in a long while, the Brave handed the Ice not one but two regulation losses, ending the ladder leaders’ 11-game winning streak and exposing cracks at a critical stage of the campaign. Saturday’s 5–2 result was already eyebrow-raising, but Sunday’s 9–3 demolition was a statement.

The Ice actually led 2–1 after the first period on Sunday, but were blown off the rink by a five-goal blitz in the second. Kale Costa starred with a hat-trick and an assist, while Jesperi Viikila (1G, 3A) was instrumental across the weekend.

The twin defeats don’t budge Melbourne from top spot, and they’re still seven points clear, but with finals approaching, the timing is far from ideal. Canberra’s two wins launch them into third spot, overtaking a Brisbane Lightning side that didn’t play this week.

Perth Stay Second With Mixed Weekend

Behind them, Perth Thunder tightened their grip on second, becoming the first team in a long time to hold the spot two weeks running. A 4–0 loss to the Northstars on Saturday was followed by a 10–1 annihilation of the Rhinos on Sunday. Nine different Thunder players hit the scoresheet in that one, with Jordan Kyros the only double scorer. It’s been a somewhat streaky season for Perth, but when they’re on, they’re devastating.

Newcastle, after downing the Thunder on Saturday, move level on points with Brisbane but still sit fifth due to tiebreakers. At the bottom, it was another rough outing for the Central Coast Rhinos. Their 10–1 collapse against Perth was their 18th loss of the season.

Mustangs' Shakiness Continues

The Melbourne Mustangs and Adelaide Adrenaline split their weekend series, but it was the Adrenaline who’ll walk away more satisfied. After a 5–1 loss on Saturday where Coy Prevost (3A) and Nathaniel Benson (2G, 1A) ran riot for Adelaide, the Mustangs flipped the script Sunday. Trailing 2–0 after the first period, they clawed back to take a 4–3 win. The weekend's results are just more evidence of the Mustangs' drastic recent slide down the table.

With just a few weeks left before playoffs, the top of the table is beginning to settle—but as this weekend proved, nothing is set in stone.