It was another weekend of electric Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) action as all 10 teams hit the ice for the first time in season 2024. Eyeballs were glued to the AIHL.TV live streams as ice hockey took Australia by storm with seven games across two days.

Standout performances, big opening night wins, teams stamping their claim early in the season and more packed out crowds at AIHL rinks.

Hockey Hype Australia looks at five things which caught the eye in this weeks Five for Writing.

Large and in Darge

Wehebe Darge turned back the clock across week two of competition, putting up a massive 11 points (eight goals, three assists) against the Central Coast Rhinos and Sydney Ice Dogs.

The 32-year-old veteran was unstoppable against the Rhinos, scoring seven goals in a standout display across all skaters.

A multiple AIHL champion and former league MVP, Darge, will once again be a key player for the Newcastle Northstars this season who have started their campaign with a perfect 3-0 record.

Home Sweet Home

Adelaide Adrenaline hit the ice for the first time this AIHL season picking up a massive home win against a Sydney Bears team many tip to go deep into finals.

Lead by new Canadian, Kaden Elder, the Adrenaline were able to score a late winner securing their first win in a season opener since 2017.

Elder, who has a strong hockey pedigree in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Hockeyettan in Sweden, looks a terrific import pickup for the As.

The Champs are Here

It was a cause for celebration at O’Brien Icehouse Arena as the Melbourne Mustangs opened their 2024 AIHL season at home against the Brisbane Lightning.

After raising the 2023 Championship banner the Mustangs went to work securing a 7-3 home win, off the back of import Chris Lawrences hattrick performance.

A terrific occasion for the two-time Goodall Cup winners and a moment that is worthy of making this weeks top five of things that caught our eye.

Ice Ice Carini

Ellesse Carini made the off season move to Melbourne Ice from the Sydney Bears fitting in seamlessly at the four-time Goodall Cup champions.

Only 25-years-old, Carini, has found fresh life under head coach Kerry Goulet. Six points across three games this season, including a four point game (two goals, two assists) against the Lightning, Carini is fitting into the Ice system well.

Carini has been an important signing for the Ice who have started the season with a perfect 3-0 record.

West is Best

Perth Thunder recruited heavily in the off season and signed some really exciting imports, non more so than Canadian Jeremiah Addison.

Sitting second on the AIHL points leader board, Addison picked a hattrick in back-to-back games, finishing the weekend with six points (four goals, two assists) against the Canberra Brave.

The Thunder have a 3-1 record after four games and Addison is the driving force behind their early season form.