AIHL Week 2: Northstars extend lead as Lightning erupt and Thunder split wild weekend

James Lane

Week 2 of the AIHL season had overtime drama, momentum swings, and some serious offensive explosions. At the centre of it all, Newcastle kept rolling, opening up a clear gap at the top of the standings.

Sydney Ice Dogs 3 – 2 Adelaide Adrenaline (OT)

Friday night delivered a tight one, with the Ice Dogs needing overtime to edge Adelaide. Shane Hanna was the difference, scoring twice and assisting the other, including the game-winner in OT to seal a 3–2 result.

It was a much-needed lift for Sydney, while Adelaide’s slow start to the season continued.

Brisbane Lightning 9 – 4 Melbourne Ice

Brisbane’s first win of the season came in emphatic fashion. A 3–0 opening period set the tone, and they never really looked back in a 9–4 victory over Melbourne Ice.

Alex Campbell led the charge with three goals and an assist, while Tanner Hopps flipped that line with a goal and three assists. Batu Gendunov also had a big night with two goals and one assist. For the Ice, Jamie Bourke fought hard with two goals and two assists, but the damage had already been done early.

Newcastle Northstars 7 – 5 Canberra Brave

Newcastle made it five straight wins to start the season, but this one was far from comfortable.

The scoring built as the game wore on: 1–1 after the first, 2–1 in the second, before blowing out into a high-scoring finish. Ethan Hawes (four assists) and Santeri Haarala (1G, 3A) were again heavily involved, while Bray Crowder did his best to keep Canberra in it with a goal and three assists.

Melbourne Mustangs 5 – 2 Perth Thunder

The Mustangs continued their strong start with a controlled 5–2 win over Perth, built off a 2–0 first period. It was a composed performance that kept them firmly in the upper group of the ladder.

Perth Thunder 7 – 2 Melbourne Mustangs

Sunday flipped that matchup completely on its head. Perth came out flying and never let up, racing to a 4–1 first period lead on the way to a dominant 7–2 win.

Yu Hikosaka was unstoppable with four goals and two assists, while Peter Hrehorcak added two goals and two assists in a statement performance from the Thunder.

Central Coast Rhinos 4 – 2 Adelaide Adrenaline

The Rhinos continued to build nicely with a 4–2 win over Adelaide. Alexandre Boivin did most of the damage, scoring three goals in a clinical display that Adelaide had no real answer for.

Brisbane Lightning 5 – 1 Melbourne Ice

Brisbane backed up their big Saturday with another convincing win, this time 5–1 over the Ice. It was a far more controlled performance, leading from start to finish to make it back-to-back victories.

Sydney Bears 1 – 3 Newcastle Northstars

Newcastle capped off the weekend with another win, though this one was more measured. The Bears were held scoreless until the final period, by which point the Northstars had already done enough to secure a 3–1 result.

Standings

Newcastle now sit clear on top with 11 points, the only undefeated side through two rounds. Behind them, a cluster is forming: Mustangs, Rhinos, Lightning and Thunder all sit on 6 points, keeping the pressure on.

The Ice Dogs remain within reach on 5, while the Bears and Brave are trying to stay in touch on 3. At the bottom, Adelaide have just 1 point, level with Melbourne Ice, and already facing an uphill battle.

Newcastle’s consistency is setting the early benchmark, but with Brisbane finding form and Perth showing how dangerous they can be at their best, the chasing pack isn’t going anywhere just yet.