AIHL Week 18 Wrap

James Lane

With just one round remaining in the AIHL regular season, Week 18 delivered plenty of twists as playoff positions began to take their final shape. A points deduction for Perth Thunder, some high-scoring shootouts, and a couple of statement individual performances ensured there was no shortage of drama.

Lightning Split with Rhinos

The Brisbane Lightning opened their weekend in style, thumping the Central Coast Rhinos 8–2 behind a monster game from Tanner Hopps, who piled up two goals and four assists. But the momentum didn’t carry into Sunday, as the Rhinos struck back with a 7–6 shootout win. Danick Bouchard was the difference in the skills contest, scoring both of Central Coast’s shootout markers. For Brisbane, Carson Miller converted his first attempt but missed his next two, leaving the Lightning to settle for just one point.

Brave Tighten Grip on Second

Saturday’s marquee clash between Canberra and Melbourne Mustangs lived up to its billing, with the Mustangs edging a 7–6 barnburner. Brody Lindal led the way for the Mustangs with a goal and four assists, while Jake Ratcliffe did all he could to drag the Brave over the line, recording a goal and three helpers of his own.

Canberra rebounded immediately on Sunday, pushing the league-leading Melbourne Ice to overtime before stealing a 4–3 win. The result keeps the Brave comfortably in second spot while handing the Ice just their sixth defeat of the campaign.

Adrenaline Shock Thunder, Twice

Adelaide’s playoff hopes may be deathly faint, but the Adrenaline aren’t going quietly. Josh Adkins tore Perth apart on Saturday with a hat-trick and two assists in a 5–2 win, before Adelaide completed a weekend sweep on Sunday. The Adrenaline stormed out to a 4–0 first-period lead and then hung on as Perth clawed back across the final 40 minutes, surviving with a 4–3 victory.

For Perth, the losses were compounded by a three-point deduction for a breach of competition rules dating back to April. That penalty drops them to fourth, behind idle Newcastle, who leapfrogged into third.