Each week I will highlight things that have caught my attention, got me on the edge of my seat or shifted the needle in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL).
Many would remember my Five Things or Five for Writing articles from recent years, well it’s back with a fresh name. In the Blue Paint.
This week we had a big road win, powerplays raising eyebrows, youngster makes debut, and a big signing arrival.
All In the Blue Paint articles can be found at andrewkmacdougall.com.au
Adrenaline get big road win
It’s the biggest win of the season as the Adelaide Adrenaline went to Perth and beat the Thunder 7-4 on Saturday.
Coy Prevost had a fantastic return with two goals and two assists in the game, finishing with five points across the weekend.
Adrenaline outshot the Thunder 37-24 and looked strong across the ice, taking their chances from a team that struggled to score early in the season.
Wins in back-to-back weekends the Adrenaline will return home against the Central Coast Rhinos for Week 9, where they will be eyeing off a homestand sweep.
Are the Adrenaline turning things around?
You can’t miss the Swiss
Sometimes there are players that just catch your eye, Jules Sturny of the Brisbane Lightning is one of those players.
The Swiss import signed for the 2025 AIHL season and has looked fantastic since arriving from EHC Basel.
Leading the team on points with 20 (seven goals, 13 assists), Sturny was instrumental in helping the Lightning against the Melbourne Mustangs.
Great skating and terrific hands, Sturny is involved in all facets of the game, and can find the back of the net.
At 28-years-old Sturny is in the prime of his career and has been a solid signing for a Lightning team that sit second on the AIHL standings.
White between the pipes
Everybody loves a goalie, and everybody loves to see a young Australian player debut between the pipes.
17-year-old Riley White got 4:13 ice time for the Rhinos on Saturday, debuting against the league leading Melbourne Ice.
With the AIHL heavily focused on using import goaltenders it was great to see a young Australian prospect get an opportunity.
Playing behind Canadian Anand Oberoi, White will be getting great tutelage in the position both on and off the ice.
Hopefully, this isn’t the last we see of the Central Coast local this season and more opportunities come Whites way.
Did someone say, powerplay?
If you are a visiting team playing at Boondall Ice Arena, you might want to Uber Eats a meal into the penalty box, because you will be spending a lot of time there.
Across the eight home games the Brisbane Lightning have played, they haven’t lost a powerplay count.
72-32 is the tally in favour of the Lightning when it comes to powerplay opportunities on home ice, and powerplays were crucial on Sunday as they beat the Mustangs 9-6.
What does it all mean? That’s all subjective.
It’s an interesting statistic that has been the talk of hockey fans and members of the AIHL Fans group on Facebook.
However, Lightning are making the most of a good run with the officials, which sees them as one of the in-form teams in the AIHL.
Big signing delivers
I left this until last for a reason, and I’ll start with a disclaimer.
I don’t agree with David Booth or his views, I find them hurtful and damaging to the LGBTIQ+ community, it goes against everything I have built for inclusive ice hockey with my Pride & Puck Podcast and what is published on this website.
However, on the ice there is no denying that Booth had a fantastic debut for the Melbourne Ice.
After two games Booth has seven points (six goals, one assist), including four goals against the Rhinos on debut.
Booth’s skating was the standout, picking up speed across a few strides it is the best in the AIHL, and scoring punch that just adds to an already strong Ice forward core.
If you are Kerry Goulet, you would be pleased to see Booth fit in seamlessly.
Leave a Reply