Hockey in Australia: AIHL Gameday Experience

Alexander Bebendorf

On Sunday afternoon, I found myself at the O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne’s Docklands, ticking off the second entry on my list of Australian sporting experiences. This time, it was ice hockey, a sport which is much less popular here, but one that I am more excited to attend.

The AIHL

Ice hockey might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Australian sport, but the Australian Ice Hockey League has been providing domestic competition for the last 25 years. The league features teams from all across the country, and a never-dull competition, with eight different teams having been crowned champions out of the thirteen that have at some point taken part. Today's matchup saw the Melbourne Mustangs hosting the Newcastle Northstars. The Mustangs entered the game sitting fourth on the ladder but only three points off second, while the sixth-placed Northstars were a further seven points behind.

Getting There

Adult tickets were $38.50, purchased easily through TryBooking. That small sum is enough to secure front-row seats that place you practically right on top of the action. Demand was very high compared to the venue’s small capacity. In fact, I originally planned to attend the Melbourne derby two days prior but it was already sold out, so I’d strongly recommend booking months in advance.

Like with all things in Melbourne, transport was very simple. I took a tram from my hotel a couple of kilometres away and walked the final short distance. Approaching the venue, the size is modest compared to arenas in Europe or North America, but for Australia, it’s a quality facility. Security at the door was efficient, and inside was buzzing with a mix of fans and public skaters sharing the complex.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Ticket prices were incredible for front-row seats and transport was easy, but the consistently high demand and frequency of sellouts mean it’s not always straightforward to attend spontaneously, especially if you intend to bring a group.

The Venue

O’Brien Icehouse seats 1,500 fans, plus standing room, so it is obviously far smaller than typical rinks overseas, but that’s to be expected for a sport that is so niche here. Opened in 2010, it’s a modern, clean facility, with seating on just one side of the rink and a bar area upstairs.

Facilities were all in order: clean toilets, accessible spaces, and plenty of staff around. The overall vibe walking through the venue was positive, with music playing, fans mingling, and food and drink options available.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Overall, the only real downside would be the size, and even then, that is entirely understandable given the popularity (or lack thereof) of the sport here.

Food and Drink

The main options came from the St Moritz Bar (upstairs) and the Igloo Café, which is shared with the public rink. Notably, outside food and drink aren’t allowed, so plan ahead if you don’t fancy venue offerings.

The Igloo Café serves standard stadium fare, like toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, fish and chips, nachos, and so on. Prices were fairly typical for an event like this: $6.50 for small chips, $11.50 for fish and fries, $12 for nachos. I opted for the poutine, which was quite decent for venue food, with just the right amoung of cheesiness. One downside was the long wait time for the food.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Standard offerings at fair prices, with a highlight in the poutine, but long wait times are a notable downside. Nothing terrible, but nothing amazing either.

Crowd and Atmosphere

Despite its small capacity, the game was essentially sold out, with over 1,500 fans packing the venue, and judging by the difficulty I had finding tickets, that seems to be the norm. The crowd skewed towards young families but was generally diverse in age.

For such a small venue, the atmosphere punched well, well above its weight. The fans reacted passionately to big hits and near misses, and by the third period, as the Mustangs mounted their comeback, chants of “Let’s go Mustangs” broke out, growing louder with each goal. The second-period break featured a competition where fans were invited to shoot at goal to win prizes, as well as the ever-trusty kiss cam. Honestly, despite being much smaller in size, the energy in the Icehouse easily eclipsed what I experienced at the AFL on Friday night.

Rating: ★★★★★

Despite being small in numbers, the crowd brought serious energy, especially during the comeback.

The Game Itself

The on-ice product certainly didn’t disappoint either. The speed, physicality, and sheer intensity of hockey always shows up well in person, and today was no different.

The Mustangs started fast in the opening minutes, but struggled to finish, while costly penalties allowed the Northstars to storm to a 3-0 lead after the first period. The second period was more even, with the score at 5-2 by the break.

The third period, however, is where the game truly sprung to life. It was chaotic, thrilling, and everything I'd hoped for. The Mustangs piled on the pressure, hitting the bar several times, before they finally found the net repeatedly to claw it back to 6-5 with a few minutes remaining. With every goal the crowd began to believe more in the comeback, growing louder and more excited. But, it was not to be, as Newcastle scored twice in an absolutely wild final minute to win 8-5, masking how close the comeback really came.

Big hits, huge shots, and physical battles were constant, and the announcer did a great job keeping everyone informed on penalties and key moments.

Rating: ★★★★★

Fast, physical, chaotic, with a dramatic third-period comeback attempt and a wild finish. Exactly what you want from a live hockey experience.

Final Thoughts

This experience far, far exceeded my expectations for what Australian hockey could produce. I never imagined such a small crowd for a sport the country largely ignores could deliver an atmosphere this good. Hockey itself is, without question, one of the best sports to experience live; the speed, intensity, and energy always translate incredibly well. But crowds are not something you can always rely on. But, it seems when it comes to the AIHL, you can.

Would I come again? Absolutely. I’ll be buying a Brisbane Lightning membership when I return from Melbourne. And for non-hockey-fans? Still 100% worth it. Even without a deep knowledge of the sport, the spectacle alone makes it well worth your time.