Northstars and Mustangs remain locked together after another pivotal weekend

James Lane

The AIHL title race remains impossible to separate. For the second straight week, Newcastle and the Mustangs matched each other stride for stride, leaving both sides level on 50 points atop the ladder. Behind them, Canberra continued its excellent late-season form, while Melbourne Ice kept its finals hopes alive in another high-scoring weekend.

Melbourne Mustangs 8 – 3 Brisbane Lightning

The Mustangs maintained the pressure on Newcastle with another convincing victory.

Brisbane stayed in touch early, trailing just 3–2 after the opening period, but Melbourne took complete control in the second. A dominant 4–1 middle frame broke the game open before the Mustangs comfortably closed it out.

Sydney Ice Dogs 5 – 3 Sydney Bears

The Sydney derby went the way of the Ice Dogs, thanks largely to their fast start.

The Dogs established a 2–0 advantage in the opening period, and with the remaining two periods ending level, that early cushion proved decisive.

Newcastle Northstars 8 – 3 Perth Thunder

In a clash between two of the league’s heavyweights, Newcastle delivered one of its strongest performances of the season.

The Northstars comfortably accounted for Perth, with both Francis Drolet and Evgenii Skachkov finishing with two goals and two assists as Newcastle strengthened its claim for the minor premiership.

Canberra Brave 5 – 3 Sydney Ice Dogs

Sunday saw Canberra continue its impressive late-season surge.

The Brave led 2–1 after the opening period before Sydney fought back to take a 3–2 lead into the final break. Canberra responded brilliantly, scoring three unanswered goals in the third period to secure another valuable victory.

Melbourne Ice 10 – 8 Brisbane Lightning

If there was one game that summed up the AIHL season, this was probably it.

Brisbane actually outscored the Ice in both the first period (3–2) and the third (4–3), but one disastrous middle frame proved fatal. Melbourne exploded for five goals while limiting the Lightning to just one, turning the game on its head in spectacular fashion.

It was another reminder that in this league, a single period can completely change a result.

Sydney Bears 7 – 6 Central Coast Rhinos (SO)

The final game of the weekend was another thriller.

The sides were locked at 2–2 after the first period before the Rhinos looked to have taken control with a 2–0 second frame.

Sydney had other ideas.

The Bears stormed back with four goals in a frantic third period, forcing overtime after the teams finished regulation tied at 6–6. Extra time couldn’t separate them, but the shootout was over almost as quickly as it began.

Central Coast’s Danick Bouchard and Bryan Sautereau both missed their attempts, and with the Bears converting when it mattered, the shootout lasted just five shots in total.

Standings

For all the drama across the weekend, the ladder itself remains exactly the same.

Newcastle and Melbourne Mustangs continue to share first place on 50 points, with neither side giving an inch in what is becoming a fascinating race for top spot.

Perth remain third on 44 points, while Canberra have strengthened their hold on fourth with 41 after another impressive weekend. The Ice Dogs stay fifth on 39 despite Sunday’s defeat, while Melbourne Ice continue to close the gap on 38 after another explosive offensive display. The Bears move to 36, Central Coast to 30, Brisbane remain on 22, and Adelaide stay on 7.