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 trouble in the stands, goaltender spotlight, a rising star having a breakout season, and a team still looking for their first win.
All In the Blue Paint articles can be found at andrewkmacdougall.com.au
Keep it seated
When we show up to a sporting event we are there to be entertained, enjoying the display of talented athletes. The AIHL is no different than any other sport.
As a fan we buy a ticket or membership, it allows us entry into the venue where we can support, cheer and even chirp the opposition players and supporters. There is however a line and unfortunately it was crossed during week six.
Fans chasing down or approaching players in a physical and threatening manner should not be tolerated. Under any circumstances.
Scenes from the Melbourne Mustangs and Perth Thunder game on Sunday where Jake Hamilton was confronted by a fan in the players tunnel was unsettling.
We need to remember why we are there in the first place, to enjoy a couple of hours of sports entertainment. Chirp, cheer, boo and do all the things that fans love, but keep it to the seat you are allocated.
The incident is under investigation by the AIHL who will no doubt want to stamp it out.
Shutting the door
Aleksi Toivonen was a big name signing for the Thunder in the off season, moving across from the 2024 Goodall Cup champions Canberra Brave.
Toivonen picked up his first shutout in Thunder colours blanking the Mustangs in an 8-0 rout at O’Brien Icehouse.
Across eight games this season Toivonen has picked up wins in six, with a 3.34 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
Off the back of strong performances from Toivonen between the pipes the Thunder currently sit in second place.
If the Thunder are going to go deep and make a cup run in 2025, Toivonen will be front and centre to their chances.
Stable, maybe not so?
The Melbourne Mustangs assembled a team that was one of the strongest I have seen across their AIHL journey.
Adding key Sydney Bears players and filling import spots with former NHL Draft picks in Zack Phillips, it looked like it was going to be a big campaign.
However, over the past few games I can’t help but wonder if there is cause for concern?
The first Melbourne Derby instalment the Ice were superb, putting the Mustangs to the sword in a physical contest.
During week five the Mustangs were shutout and out shot on home ice as the Thunder put eight goals past veteran goaltender Anthony Kimlin.
Sitting fourth on the standings the Mustangs are still in good shape but will face the Ice again to start week six in a blockbuster derby contest.
There is no better time to get things back on track than stamping their authority against their biggest rivals.
Rising star from the North
You probably can’t hear it, but Sacha Rapchuk is quietly putting together his best season in the AIHL.
The 21-year-old has been a driving force for the Brisbane Lightning who sit third in the standings.
After eight games Rapchuk has equalled his all-time goals tally in the AIHL with eight, and with 14 points is two shy of matching career highs of 16 from the past two seasons.
Rapchuk has been flying the Aussie flag with time spent in North America and the young forwards game has gone to a new level in 2025.
Furthermore, going at a goal a game pace could we see Rapchuk push the 20-goal mark?
Looking for that goal scorer
After five weeks of AIHL competition the Adelaide Adrenaline are still searching for their first win of the season.
Two weekends had been completed in the AIHL before the Adrenaline hit a puck in anger, and they haven’t been able to get their season going since.
A couple of overtime results and glimpses of good performances haven’t been rounded out with a win from a team that lacks firepower.
The Adrenaline have only scored 22-goals this season, Josh Adkins is leading the way with five, with a goal differential of -34.
Off the ice things are improving in Adelaide with social media content and changes to their rink, for Adrenaline fans they will be hoping the on-ice product starts to match.
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