2023 AIHL season: 16 July results and standings

Day 33 of the 2023 Australian Ice Hockey League regular season has finished with wins for the Melbourne Mustangs and Newcastle Northstars. Following today’s results, the Melbourne Mustangs become the third team to qualify for the 2023 Goodall Cup playoffs joining the CBR Brave and Newcastle Northstars.

With their win the Melbourne Mustangs extend their lead at the top of the Hellyer Conference standings while the CBR Brave continue to lead the Rurak Conference. The CBR Brave also remain at the top of league’s combined standings, two points ahead of the second placed Melbourne Mustangs. Competition resumes on 21 July with the Melbourne Ice hosting the Melbourne Mustangs at the O’Brien Icehouse.

Today’s match between the Sydney Ice Dogs and Melbourne Mustangs also served as the 2023 Matt Clark Shield game. The Sydney Ice Dog’s hold the annual Matt Clark Shield to help raise awareness and funds for leukaemia research. The game is dedicated to former Warringah Bombers’ player Matt Clark who passed away due to leukaemia in 1995. As part of this year’s fundraising the Sydney Ice Dogs wore special edition jerseys which were auctioned off over the weekend.

Results

Newcastle Northstars	5–2	Adelaide Adrenaline
SOG: 40	(1–1, 3–0, 1–1)	SOG: 30

Melbourne Mustangs	5–2	Sydney Ice Dogs
SOG: 50	(3–1, 1–0, 1–1)	SOG: 24

Standings

Hellyer Conference

Team	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	PTS
Melbourne Mustangs – q	21	14	2	0	5	46
Sydney Bears	18	14	0	0	4	39*
Perth Thunder	20	12	0	1	7	37
Melbourne Ice	22	8	0	0	14	24
Sydney Ice Dogs	19	6	0	2	11	20

Rurak Conference

Team	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	PTS
CBR Brave – q	20	15	1	1	3	48
Newcastle Northstars – q	19	15	0	0	4	45
Brisbane Lightning	20	7	1	0	12	23
Adelaide Adrenaline	21	3	0	1	17	10
Central Coast Rhinos	20	1	1	0	18	5

Combined

Team	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	PTS
CBR Brave	20	15	1	1	3	48
Melbourne Mustangs	21	14	2	0	5	46
Newcastle Northstars	19	15	0	0	4	45
Sydney Bears	18	14	0	0	4	39*
Perth Thunder	20	12	0	1	7	37
Melbourne Ice	22	8	0	0	14	24
Brisbane Lightning	20	7	1	0	12	23
Sydney Ice Dogs	19	6	0	2	11	20
Adelaide Adrenaline	21	3	0	1	17	10
Central Coast Rhinos	20	1	1	0	18	5

Further information

• Australian Ice Hockey League website
• 2023 season schedule and ticket links
• Livestreaming via AIHL.TV

• Booktok and Australian Ice Hockey League in unlikely romance by Eliza Barr (The Daily Telegraph via Archive.today)
• Northstars move to second on ladder by Mitchell Hughes (NBN News)
• Post-game recap: Adelaide fall in closer game than score would suggest by Amanda Marasigan (Adelaide Adrenaline)
• (Subscription required): Newcastle Northstars produce clean sweep in Adelaide by Josh Callinan (Newcastle Herald)

• Photos: Melbourne Mustangs vs. Sydney Ice Dogs