It was the Mega Round in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) with 10-games and multiple storylines. Unfortunately we can only fit five into this article at once.

The leagues best team continues to win, a Novocastrian on fire, one teams defence continues to stand tall and more Japanese stars hit the ice.

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

Ice defence continues to lock it down

Melbourne Ice got back to winning ways and once again it was off the back of their resolute defence.

Ice have given up the fewest goals (26) across the AIHL this season, only conceding more than three once – in their only loss against the Thunder.

With Tom Forrest in net replacing Tatsu Ishida it was business as usual, as they picked up back-to-back wins giving up only four goals.

I choose Yu

It was the perfect debut for new Perth Thunder import Yu Hikosaka as the Japanese star picked up three points (one goal, two assists).

Hikosaka would score on debut and give us a highlight reel assist, spin-o-rama style to setup Jamie Woodman.

On the penalty kill Hikosaka was also impressive alongside teammate Benjamin Berard, as described by Gordon Goodenough they “are elite and unreal together”.

Eight straight for Bears den

Sydney Bears continue to rack up the points this season, sitting top of the Hellyer Conference and on an eight-game win streak.

April 28 was the last time the Bears lost an AIHL game – against the then undefeated Ice.

Since then the Bears have scored 47 goals and only conceded 19 to become the top team in the AIHL.

Brave back into finals picture

It was only a matter of when, not if, the Canberra Brave would find themselves back in the AIHL Finals picture.

Currently sitting third in the Rurak Conference the Brave are starting to build into their season, a 5-1 win on home ice over the Sydney Ice Dogs lifting them into the position.

Newcastle might be out of reach in top spot, but the Brave will be eyeing off the Lightning who occupy second place only two points ahead.

Berno baby Berno

Daniel Berno has been on a tear for the Newcastle Northstars this season. Setting up plays and providing highlight reel assists.

Scoring five goals in the past four games, Berno has been prolific once again for the Novocastrians.

A consistent performer since arriving in the AIHL, Berno is once again putting on a show at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.