The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) delivered big results last night as the Finals picture became clearer. In the season’s penultimate regular season round, the Brisbane Lightning earned the last spot at Finals, and the Bears secured the H Newman Reid Trophy as regular season champions.

Brisbane’s Boondall Bonanza

The Adelaide Adrenaline needed to take maximum points away from Brisbane this weekend to keep its Finals hopes alive. And the visitors got off to a perfect start, scoring two first period goals to take an early lead through Julian Friederich and Marcel McGuiness.

It was the first time this season the Adrenaline scored twice on the road in the opening frame. However, Brisbane responded with five straight goals – a Julian Fodor hat-trick, and a Batu Gendunov double – to lead 5-2 late in the second period.

Ryan Foll scored for Adelaide before the end of the second to draw the scores to 5-3. Later, a Julian Friederich powerplay goal with 12:46 remaining in the third made it a nervy finish.

However, Brisbane gutted out the victory in front of the home crowd, and secured its Finals berth. Brisbane will play either the Melbourne Ice or Perth Thunder on Friday at Finals.

Canberra’s peak piquing interest with closer peek

Try saying that sentence 11 times in quick succession after a jaunt at Caribou Kingston. As Tristan Metcalfe discussed last week, the Canberra Brave are the form team in the competition.

With nine regulation wins and two OT/SO losses in 11 games, the Brave are peaking at the right time. The Brave juggernaut continued its roll with a 7-2 victory over the Central Coast Rhinos at the Brave Cave last night.

With the Newcastle Northstars two points ahead in the standings the Brave need help from other teams to secure top spot in the Rurak Conference. However, the Brave continue to control what they can to keep the pressure on the Novocastrians.

Another milestone for a Mustangs’ legend

Just two weeks ago, Matt Armstrong celebrated his 250th AIHL appearance. Last night, Armstrong achieved another milestone with his 250th AIHL point.

Entering the weekend with 248 points, Armstrong scored at the end of the second before assisting on the eventual game winner in the third period for his 250th point. With a second remaining in the contest, Armstrong added an empty net goal.

For the Sydney Ice Dogs, it was a special moment for rookie Jerry Zhou who scored his first ever AIHL goal. The forward is the Ice Dogs’ nominee for Rookie of the Year in the AIHL Player of the Year awards, and has had a solid season, working hard each shift and often out on the ice to protect leads late in games.

Bears secure first H Newman Reid Trophy since 2007

The Sydney Bears entered the weekend with the magic number of one – needing just a single point or for the Melbourne Ice to drop a single point – to secure the minor premiership.

While the trophy will look nice in the Bears’ cabinet, its meaning at Finals is even more valuable. The Bears will now get a bye on Friday, and go straight into Saturday’s semi-finals.

Captain Ryan Annesley recorded his 150th career AIHL point in style with the opening goal. Lucas Herrmann and Tomas Landa had four point nights, and Timothy Newmark scored his first of the season in the 5-3 win.

Yu Hikosaka, aka Mr Big Time, ignited the home crowd with the team’s first goal to begin the teddy bear toss. Marcus Henderson relieved Leo Bertein in goal partway through the first period, and was impressive in his first appearance.

Bears’ netminder Anthony Kimlin earned the win, stopping 30 of 33 shots. It was a massive milestone for Kimlin, his 100th AIHL win.

What’s at stake in today’s games

The Melbourne Ice host the Sydney Ice Dogs at O’Brien Icehouse in the early game. Assuming Daniel Pataky is in the line-up, he will make his 200th AIHL appearance.

Jamie Bourke could also collect his 350th AIHL point. The forward is currently on 349 career points.

But it’s not just individual honours at play today. The Melbourne Ice will lock up second place in the conference and league with a win.

An Ice victory would lock in one of the Friday contests, as the Ice would battle the Brisbane Lightning. Meanwhile, the Ice Dogs are locked in at fifth in the conference but could still achieve something chaotically humorous.

Sitting eighth in the league, the Ice Dogs are just five points behind the seventh placed Lightning. Mathematically the Ice Dogs could finish last in the Hellyer Conference and above a Finals qualifier in the Rurak Conference.

Next up the Northstars travel to Erina to take on the Rhinos. The Northstars are currently in the driver’s seat for top spot in the conference and the Friday bye, but need a win to maintain that status quo.

Adelaide and Brisbane will battle once again in a character game at Boondall. An Adrenaline win will secure fourth place in the conference and ensure the wooden spoon stays in the Central Coast.

Finally, Brian Funes is set to play his 300th career AIHL game in Perth against the Thunder. Funes has been a mainstay for the Bears for the last seven seasons after spending five season with the Ice Dogs, and wore the C for both clubs.

Perth are still fighting for second spot, and need a win to keep those hopes alive. If the Thunder lose, they will play either the Canberra Brave or Newcastle Northstars on Friday.

You can watch all the games on AIHL TV. Click here for more AIHL news.