Northstars and Mustangs remain inseparable as Brave surge and Adelaide push Brisbane

James Lane

The race for the AIHL minor premiership remains completely undecided. Newcastle and Melbourne Mustangs both finished the weekend on 56 points after splitting their two games, while Canberra continued its remarkable late-season run with another four-point weekend. Perth, meanwhile, endured a brutal pair of defeats against the Mustangs. At the other end of the ladder, Adelaide and Brisbane - both already out of playoff contention - produced another pair of entertaining games, with the Lightning taking both in overtime.

Sydney Ice Dogs 5 – 4 Newcastle Northstars

The Northstars looked to be heading for another important win after taking control early.

Newcastle led 1–0 after the opening period and extended that advantage to 4–2 after the second. But the league leaders couldn’t find the net in the final frame, while the Ice Dogs scored three unanswered goals to complete a remarkable comeback.

It was a costly result for Newcastle in the increasingly tight race at the top.

Canberra Brave 5 – 2 Melbourne Ice

Canberra continued their incredible run with another controlled victory.

The Brave established their advantage early and managed the game from there, never allowing the Ice to turn the contest into a genuine threat.

Adelaide Adrenaline 6 – 7 Brisbane Lightning (OT)

The two sides already eliminated from playoff contention produced one of the closest games imaginable.

It was 2–2 after the first period, 4–4 after the second and, naturally, 6–6 after regulation.

Tanner Hopps eventually settled it for Brisbane in overtime, giving the Lightning another hard-earned victory.

Perth Thunder 3 – 4 Melbourne Mustangs

The Mustangs produced a huge road victory over Perth.

Melbourne jumped out to a 2–0 lead and looked in control before the Thunder fought back to level the game at 3–3 entering the final period. The Mustangs found the decisive goal in the third to claim a narrow win and keep pace with Newcastle.

Canberra Brave 5 – 2 Melbourne Ice

Sunday’s rematch produced a spectacular turnaround.

The Ice appeared to be heading towards victory after leading 2–0 through two periods. Instead, Canberra exploded in the third, scoring five unanswered goals to turn the game completely on its head.

The Brave completed a perfect weekend and strengthened their hold on third place.

Newcastle Northstars 4 – 3 Sydney Ice Dogs

Newcastle responded immediately to Saturday’s disappointment.

The Northstars never actually trailed in the rematch, repeatedly nudging themselves back in front whenever Sydney threatened. The result allowed Newcastle to keep pace with Melbourne at the top of the standings.

Sydney Bears 4 – 2 Central Coast Rhinos

The Rhinos looked to have seized control when they moved 2–0 ahead early in the second period.

But Sydney responded with four unanswered goals from that point onwards, completing the comeback and handing Central Coast another difficult result.

Adelaide Adrenaline 6 – 7 Brisbane Lightning

The second meeting between Adelaide and Brisbane was every bit as wild as the first.

The Adrenaline came out determined to avenge Saturday’s overtime defeat, racing to a 2–0 first-period lead. Brisbane levelled the game at 3–3 after the second before the teams traded blows through a chaotic final period.

The Lightning eventually won that third 4–3, completing another one-goal victory over Adelaide.

Melbourne Mustangs 6 – 0 Perth Thunder

The Mustangs finished their weekend in emphatic fashion.

After edging Perth on Saturday, Melbourne completely blew the Thunder off the ice in the rematch, cruising to a 6–0 shutout.

It was a perfect weekend for the Mustangs against one of the league’s leading teams and leaves them level with Newcastle at the top.

Standings

The top of the ladder couldn’t be tighter. Newcastle and Melbourne Mustangs are both on 56 points, with the minor premiership now looking increasingly likely to come down to the final rounds.

Canberra have surged to 53 and are only three points behind the leaders, making what once looked like a two-horse race a genuine three-way battle.

Perth remain fourth on 44, but their disastrous weekend leaves them with plenty of work to do to hold off the teams below. The Ice Dogs and Bears are tied on 42, while Melbourne Ice sit just one point further back on 41.

Central Coast remain on 30, Brisbane move to 27 after their two wins over Adelaide, and the Adrenaline stay on 11.