AIHL Week 8 Power Rankings

James Lane

Week 8 brought some stirring action on the ice, including a second win for Adelaide and a stunning comeback from Brisbane Lightning, shaking up the standings just a little. But for the most part, the league’s pecking order remains steady, with only a couple of meaningful shifts.

1. Melbourne Ice (Last Week: 1)

Ice remain firmly on top, extending their impressive season form with a strong 9-2 win over the Rhinos and a 5-3 victory against the Northstars on Sunday. Although Northstars led early in the second game, Ice’s explosive four-goal second period flipped the momentum decisively. They still haven’t lost in regulation time all season, and their consistent form shows why they’re the team to beat.

2. Brisbane Lightning (+2)

The Lightning leapfrog two spots thanks to an electrifying weekend. After a slow start against the Mustangs, they came storming back for a 9-6 win on Sunday, led by Carson Miller’s six-point masterclass (3 goals, 3 assists). That result completed a double over the Mustangs, who they also beat 5-3 on Saturday, solidifying their place as genuine contenders this season.

3. Perth Thunder (-1)

Perth Thunder drop one spot after a split weekend, losing 7-4 to Adelaide on Saturday but bouncing back to reverse the scoreline a day later. They remain a solid team near the top but now share points with Brisbane, who appear to be gathering more steam. Thunder’s inconsistency this weekend means they slip behind the Lightning in these rankings, though they remain a formidable force.

4. Melbourne Mustangs (-2)

The Mustangs take a tumble after consecutive losses to Lightning, 3-5 on Saturday and 6-9 on Sunday, squandering leads and struggling to contain Brisbane’s late offensive surge.

5. Newcastle Northstars (Same)

Northstars remain steady, downing the Brave 6-4 before a 3-5 defeat against the Ice. Newcastle’s inconsistency against the top sides continues to hold them back from breaking into the top four, but they remain a competitive mid-table side.

6. Canberra Brave (Same)

Canberra’s weekend saw a single match, which ended in a 4-6 defeat to the Northstars, leaving them in the same spot. Their position is unlikely to move until they can string together some wins to climb out of the lower half of the table.

7. Central Coast Rhinos (Same)

The Rhinos endured a tough weekend against Melbourne Ice, losing 9-2 on Saturday. They remain well adrift of the competition’s top teams. The Rhinos hold onto seventh, but progress will be needed to avoid falling further behind.

8. Adelaide Adrenaline (Same)

Adelaide continue their revival by snatching a 7-4 win agsint Perth, before losing by the same scorline a day later. Having gone from no wins to two in the last two weeks, Adelaide demonstrate growing confidence and real potential to push out of the bottom spot if this form continues. Despite still sitting last, the Adrenaline are showing signs they won’t be pushovers for much longer.

Summary:

The biggest story this week is Brisbane Lightning’s surge up the ladder, fueled by stellar individual performances and resilience. Meanwhile, the Mustangs’ slide after two tough losses puts their early promise into question. At the top, Melbourne Ice continue to quietly assert dominance, and down the bottom, Adelaide’s recent wins provide a glimmer of hope for their season.