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).
This week we had a points machine jumping to the top, a Northstar rising, goaltender working overtime, returning star, and a team on a six game streak.
All In the Blue Paint articles can be found at andrewkmacdougall.com.au
Skachkov taking over the Hunter
A six-point (two goals, four assists) weekend and Evgenii Skachkov has rocketed into the top 10 points leaders in the competition.
The former St Louis Blues draft pick has been a revelation since arriving at the Newcastle Northstars, quickly becoming a points scoring machine.
From 13 games played Skachkov is averaging 3.1 points per game, second in the AIHL behind David Booth.
The Romanian international has added skill and firepower to the Northstars who grabbed back-to-back wins against the Brisbane Lightning on home ice.
Newcastle have won three out of their four games to start July as they inch closer towards the top of the standings.
Finnish Flyer returns
It was the long-awaited return of Ville Tenosalmi to the Perth Thunder lineup for week 13.
The Finnish forward hadn’t played since May 25, but picked up where he left off with a four-point (three goals, one assist) weekend.
Thunder put the sword to the Central Coast Rhinos at Perth Ice Arena, convincing 8-2 and 8-0 wins.
Centering a line with Ben Breault and Kieren Webster, Tenosalmi returning has come at the perfect time for the Thunder.
It adds scoring and line depth to a Thunder team that is already stacked, as a result Thunder will get crucial points production down the stretch.
Thunder moved back into second place on the AIHL standings and Tenosalmi will be an important forward cog in their finals run.
Brave streak hits six
Canberra Brave are red hot right now in the AIHL, they have won six in a row and are one of the inform teams of the competition.
A 4-0 Saturday shutout and a hard fought 8-4 win on Sunday against the Melbourne Mustangs has the Brave sitting in fourth place.
Brave have a game in hand on both the Thunder and Lightning who occupy second and third respectively.
However, the biggest test of the season will come during week 14 when the Melbourne Ice arrive at AIS Arena.
Two finalists from the 2024 Goodall Cup and both contenders for championship glory in 2025.
Another packed house awaits the Brave as the hottest sporting ticket in Canberra continues to roll on.
You’ll be a brave – pun intended, person to pick a winner in this one.
Oberoi nearly raises the stick
It’s another week in the AIHL and Anand Oberoi has faced a lot of shots, nearly raising the stick in honour of the century.
Oberoi had 97 shots fired at him across the two games in Perth against the Thunder, stopping 81 of them.
At the other end of the ice, Aleksi Toivonen faced 37 shots from two games, highlighting the stark contrast of work between both goaltenders.
Playing all 120 minutes across the two games Oberoi was outstanding, considering how many times the rubber was flung his way.
In a tough season Oberoi has been superb carrying the load and trying to make the Rhinos as competitive as possible.
Week 14 will see a return fixture as Thunder head to Erina Ice Arena, where Oberoi will be looking for revenge.
And hopefully a little less traffic coming his way.
Hopping to the top
Tanner Hopps is on an absolute tear for the Brisbane Lightning, and it was another six point (two goals, four assists) weekend for the Canadian.
Hopps is the first player to hit the half century mark for points in the 2025 AIHL season, becoming league points leader with 52.
In the absence of Jules Sturny, Hopps has taken charge of the scoring for the Lightning.
Currently on a 16-game point streak, the Canadian has put away 19 goals across that time, while also contributing 29 assists.
Hopps can be creator for the Lightning, while also having the ability to snipe the puck into the back of the net.
Lightning has a week off and then will look to regroup after two tough losses, as they welcome Adelaide Adrenaline to Iceworld Boondall.
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