AIHL Week 9 Wrap

James Lane

Week 9 of the AIHL saw a mix of the expected and the extraordinary, with Adelaide climbing off the bottom of the table, and Brisbane stumbling after a blistering start to their weekend.

Booth Keeps Ice on Top

Melbourne Ice remain the clear frontrunners, stretching their lead atop the table with another dominant double. Their 7–3 win over their local rivals on Friday was highlighted by a one-man clinic from David Booth, who registered a whopping five-point night (1G, 4A). Booth backed that up on Saturday with another five-point effort, this time notching 2 goals and 3 assists in a 6–2 win over Perth Thunder. With Brisbane slipping up, the Ice now sit seven points clear of second with 38.

Lightning Strike Fast, Then Fade

Brisbane Lightning opened the weekend by downing Canberra in an 8–6 barnburner, powered by a monster night from Jules Sturney (4G, 2A), and supported by twin 6-point efforts from Carson Miller and Tanner Hopps (each 2G, 4A). A four-goal first period put Brisbane in the driver’s seat, and despite the Brave clawing back with 3–4 and 1–2 periods, the damage was done early.

But the Lightning couldn’t repeat the dose in Sunday’s rematch. Despite winning the opening frame 4–3, Brisbane were held scoreless the rest of the way as Canberra stormed back to win 6–4 and split the weekend.

The Lightning stay second, three points ahead of the Mustangs and with a game in hand. Canberra meanwhile move even on 16 points with the Northstars, who didn't play this week.

Mustangs Edge Up with Key Win

The Mustangs split their weekend too, bouncing back from Friday’s loss to the Ice with a gutsy 4–3 win over Perth. Dean Klomp led the charge with a hat-trick, and while Perth held a 2–1 lead at the first break, Melbourne’s patience paid off as they found just enough offence late. The result lifts the Mustangs to third on the ladder, leapfrogging the Thunder on points difference.

Adelaide’s Resurgence Rolls On

Adelaide Adrenaline have officially shaken off the cellar-dweller tag. After opening the season winless, they’ve now won four of their last six, including a perfect 2–0 sweep this weekend against the newly-crowned bottom-place Rhinos. Saturday’s 7–2 demolition was followed up by a composed 4–1 win on Sunday. Adelaide’s resurgence moves them to seventh on the table, overtaking Central Coast and sitting just two points behind the Brave and Northstars. However, with no games next weekend, Adelaide will have to wait before they can attempt to move up further.

Rhinos Reeling, Northstars Rest

It was a weekend to forget for the Central Coast Rhinos, who were comprehensively outplayed in both games against Adelaide and now take their place in last position on the table. Meanwhile, the Northstars had the week off but remain fifth, now level on points with Canberra and in reach of the mid-table logjam.

Looking Ahead

The battle for finals positions is certainly tightening, with just eight points separating third from seventh. And now that Adelaide have suddenly found form, truly anyone could make a charge.