The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) continues to deliver with high drama and stellar performances. Week five of the competition was no different as the season is in full swing.

We had goaltender heroics in shootouts, hat-tricks across multiple games, highlight reel goals, and one team stands alone undefeated.

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

Rise of the Gouche

Plenty of head scratching was had after the 2023 AIHL season as the Ice struggled during Kerry Goulet’s first season as head coach.

Some fans questioned Goulet’s online media status and manning behind the bench, putting doubt into Goulet’s ability to get the best out of his team. An undefeated 7-0-1 record has put to bed those doubters.

Playing a strong defensive game, only giving up 14 goals while scoring 48, the Ice have a differential of +34. Goulet putting together his first squad since taking charge, has found what ticks and deserves to be in this week’s top five.

The MVP Arrives

It took five weeks for the reigning AIHL MVP to trouble the goal sheet. Scott Timmins came up big for the Melbourne Mustangs in a second period hat-trick blitz against the Newcastle Northstars.

Putting the Mustangs on his back, the player coach was instrumental in their 6-5 overtime win.

Continuing his scoring touch, Timmins would put two past the Sydney Ice Dogs on Sunday as the Mustangs fell 5-2. Despite the loss, it’s a positive sign for the defending Goodall Cup champions that their star player is finding the back of the net.

Absolutely Kad-lectric

It wouldn’t be a Five for Writing if I didn’t include Adam Kadlec, who put on a clinic against the Northstars potting five goals.

Kadlec would finish the game with six points (five goals, one assist) as the Bears ran rampant on the Newcastle team. A big 9-2 win for the Bears capped off a perfect weekend across the board.

Looking to restart his hockey career in Australia, Kadlec is starting to find his groove at the Bears and it’s a scary proposition for opposing teams.

Worth the wait

Central Coast Rhinos continue to improve under new head coach Ron Kuprowsky. The club took four of a possible six points against the Brisbane Lightning during week four.

Enter week five of the AIHL and the Rhinos broke a 5796 day home winning drought with a 1-0 shootout win over the Adelaide Adrenaline. 22 June 2008 a 2-0 win over the now defunct Canberra Knights was the previous occassion – thanks to Sean O’Connor for the stat.

A sweet backhand top shelf finish from Danick Bouchard sealed all the points for the Rhinos as they sit third on the Rurak Conference standings.

Beware of the kennel

Are the Sydney Ice Dogs back? Head coach Jason Kvisle has the Dogs putting some bite back into their bark.

A 7-4 win away to the Rhinos, followed by a 5-2 home victory against the defending champion Mustangs. The Ice Dogs have strong depth across all lines, something we haven’t seen in recent seasons.

Hat-tricks from Dmitri Kuleshov and Alex Macdonald highlight the firepower the Ice Dogs have. Throw in veteran Grant Toulmin and recent import arrival Bray Crowder the Dogs are looking stacked.