Every time I think the Brisbane Lightning are going to drop into that middle of the pack area in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) standings, they rise to the occasion.
Week 12 was massive for the Lightning, a trip to Adelaide to face the Adrenaline with two must win games.
Adelaide is on the heels of the top six, and it was two games of four that the Lightning and Adrenaline would play against each other in the back half of the season.
Lightning would leave with six points in their back pocket, while returning to second place on the AIHL standings.
As a result, the Lightning have now placed themselves in a strong position as they enter a tough run into the finals.
With 10 games remaining the Lightning only play four games on home ice, with trips to Newcastle and Melbourne on the schedule.
Hopps is the Lighting big hope
Tanner Hopps has been outstanding for the Lightning, sitting top of their points leaders with 46 (18 goals, 26 assists) from 16 games played.
On a 14-game point streak, the Canadian has been all over the scores sheet throughout the season.
Furthermore, against the Adrenaline it was Hopps coming up big for the Lightning when they needed it most.
Leading all Lightning skaters, Hopps grabbed a hattrick and finished with six points (four goals, two assists) in a strong performance across the two games.
Hopps sits second on the AIHL points leader board averaging 2.9 points per game, and a signing the Lightning have smashed out of the park.
The goaltender split decision
Lightning don’t have a genuine number one goal this season, from 18 games played the split is even between Matus Trnka and Jakob Doornbos.
Trnka has played 11 games between the pipes, with Doornbos suiting up for the other nine games.
Out of the top six teams only the Canberra Brave come close to an even split between their goaltenders.
However, could this be a strength for the Lightning heading into finals?
Trnka and Doornbos are both good enough to take the number one goalie spot, but maybe an even distribution is the recipe for success at Boondall.
As we get closer to the finals, we might see a change and get a better indication of who Christer Lundkvist looks to for the finals run.
Trnka has a .898 save percentage (SV) and 3.41 goals against average (GAA), with Doornbos on .879 SV and a 4.96 GAA.
Right now, splitting the duties has the Lightning flying and sitting in second place.
Big Batu continues to shine
Not only is Batu Gendunov a fan favourite and cult hero at the Lightning, he is a damn good hockey player.
Second season in the AIHL and Gendunov is having a career year, 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) from 18 games played.
Topping the 2024 campaign where Gendunov finished with 26 points for the entire season after 23 games.
Uniquely, Gendunov is versatile for the Lightning and the coaching staff lead by Lundkvist.
Lightnings week 12 trip to Adelaide Gendunov would shift from the right wing on a line centred by Sacha Rapchuk into the defensive pairings.
It highlights how important Gendunov is to the Lightning team, and more broadly their finals challenge for the Goodall Cup.
If the Lightning are healthy expect Mongolian international to play forward, with hands, size and finishing ability it’s the best spot for the Brisbane system.
However, if called upon Gendunov can plug important holes for the Lightning if the roster is stretched.
Signing Gendunov has a been a home run for the Lightning culturally and on the ice, and a big reason the Lightning are currently the second-best team in the AIHL.
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