The opening round of the 2025 AIHL season saw teams travel across the country to kick off their campaigns. The Newcastle Northstars made the long trip west to face Perth Thunder in a tough double-header at Perth Ice Arena.
Brisbane Lightning and Canberra Brave fought out a closely contested series in Brisbane, while Central Coast Rhinos endured a mixed weekend in Melbourne against the Mustangs and Ice.
For Newcastle, the weekend brought a tough challenge right from the start, with key players missing and Perth bringing relentless offensive pressure.
Meanwhile, Lightning and Brave split their results, each showing flashes of strength, and the Rhinos bounced back from a heavy loss with an exhilarating overtime win.
Results
Newcastle Northstars vs. Perth Thunder
- Saturday, April 5: Thunder defeated Northstars 7-4
- Sunday, April 6: Thunder dominated Northstars 6-1
The Northstars were forced to adapt in net, with Charlie Smart out due to injury. Ben Kleineschay stepped in, facing 35 shots from a relentless Perth attack, marking a tough first AIHL test for the goaltender.
While Saturday’s 7-4 result might suggest a comfortable win for Perth, Newcastle made an impressive fightback in the second period. Maliq West, Casey Kubara, and Wehebe Darge scored back-to-back to bring Newcastle within one goal, but it wouldn’t be enough to hold off Thunder’s Yu Hikosaka, who delivered a masterclass, scoring five of Perth’s seven goals to steal the spotlight.
On Sunday, Northstars found themselves struggling to regain momentum. After Shane Southwood scored Newcastle’s lone goal early in the first period, Perth responded with five unanswered goals, including two more from Hikosaka, sealing Thunder’s complete six-point sweep of the weekend.
Brisbane Lightning vs. Canberra Brave
- Saturday, April 5: Lightning edged out Brave 6-5
- Sunday, April 6: Brave responded with a 4-3 overtime win
A tight battle unfolded in Brisbane, with each team taking a victory across the weekend. Lightning found the edge on Saturday, but Brave fought back on Sunday, forcing overtime and claiming an important early-season win.
Central Coast Rhinos vs. Melbourne Mustangs & Melbourne Ice
- Saturday, April 5: Mustangs dominated Rhinos 10-1
- Sunday, April 6: Rhinos bounced back, defeating Melbourne Ice 9-8 (OT)
The Rhinos’ weekend was a tale of two games—a heavy 10-1 loss to the Mustangs on Saturday left them searching for answers, but Sunday’s matchup against Melbourne Ice saw them regain control. Despite building a strong lead, the Rhinos allowed Melbourne Ice to mount a comeback and force overtime. However, they found a way to close it out, securing a hard-fought 9-8 victory.
Stand Out Moments
Yu Hikosaka’s Offensive Showcase
If there was a standout performer this weekend, Yu Hikosaka stole the spotlight. His five-goal performance on Saturday was nothing short of dominant, proving why he’s one of Perth’s most dangerous offensive weapons. Adding two more goals on Sunday, Hikosaka was instrumental in Thunder’s ability to overwhelm Newcastle’s defense.
Northstars’ Early Challenges
Newcastle was put to the test immediately, missing their starting goalie and facing an elite offensive opponent. Kleineschay was thrown into the deep end, facing 35 shots, and while the team showed glimpses of resilience, Thunder’s finishing ability proved too strong.
Resilience from Rhinos and Brave
Canberra Brave’s OT win over Brisbane Lightning showed they have the endurance to push games beyond regulation and secure valuable points. Meanwhile, the Rhinos showed incredible resolve, bouncing back from a brutal 10-1 loss to earn a thrilling OT win against Melbourne Ice—a win that could set a tone for their season.
The AIHL action continues next week, with Newcastle returning home to face the Central Coast Rhinos at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Saturday, April 12, before travelling to Erina for their second matchup on Sunday, April 13.
