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After a convincing 5-1 victory over an undefeated Sydney Wolf Pack Sunday Night the Melbourne Glaciers sit atop the AJIHL standings. Thanks to the stick of Caleb Butler (10G,2A)who managed consecutive hat-tricks over the weekend and solid net minding from Jack Hayes the Glaciers also find themselves on a hot streak winning their last 3 in a row.

The Sydney Sabres got their first win of the season over the Melbourne Whalers 3-0 Sunday night. Sabres rookie Dale Tilstead sealed his first AJIHL shutout as his team managed to get back to their winning ways.

The Whalers will want to put this week behind them and get back to playing the style of hockey they put on show against the Glaciers opening night.

Despite a 5-1 loss to the Glaciers the Wolf Pack have started the season strong thanks to secondary scoring with goals coming from 9 different players on the team so far.

Over in the west the Home Derby continued as the Sharks fought back from being a goal behind the Perth Pelicans to tie up the game with 40 seconds to go in the game and force a shootout.

Sharks goaltender Mark McCann saved both shots from the Pelicans shooters while Ben Stolze and Tomek Sak scored in the shootout to give the Sharks the 3-2 SO win.

Next weekend the Pelicans will be looking for payback against the Sharks as the Sabres will be looking to get on a roll. Game Details are below.

Saturday 14 Nov – Sharks V Pelicans 6.30pm, XIA
Sunday 15 Nov – Sabres V Wolf Pack 8.00pm, Penrith

The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. The Pelicans fell one game short of claiming the AJIHL championship last year and the experience should make them a threat this season. They still have their top two point producers in Lyndon Lodge (9G, 17A, 26P in 14 games) and Kieren Webster (12G,9A, 21P in 15 games). Returning after an injury riddled year, is Jordan Grover who will captain the side. Supporting him as assistant captains are National Representatives Jordan Williams and David Mahood. Mahood and Williams also suffered injuries last season spoiling the Pelicans championship push. Anchoring the team in goal for a third season will be Stephen McCann and Dathan Pleiter. The play of these two goalies has given the coaches options and confidence between the pipes. “The Pelicans ethos has been built around taking individual responsibility of their play in all parts of the ice, and more importantly in their role and support of the greater team… there is no room for individualism.” Says coach Darin Bryce. Bryce is also excited by the personnel behind the bench as well as he will be assisted by Perth Thunder Head Coach Dave Kenway. The Pelicans are determined to bring home the first AJIHL championship to WA. With a healthy squad, past experience and buying into the system the Pelicans can do just that. 2014-2015 season ranking = 5th 2014-2015 final ranking = 2nd Additions: Jordan Grover Stuart Raine Ben Willcocks Lachlan Dwyer Brenden Parker Subtractions: Rhys Dumpleton Ryan Smith Anthony Barnes Jordan Millen Blake Georgeff Tom Smail Andrew Barrass Forwards: Jonathan Spalding Jordan Grover Alistair Lambers Kieren Webster Lyndon Lodge Stuart Raine Jordan Williams Joshua Santana Ben Willcocks Gabe Deveraux-Smith Defence: David Mahood Zac Hickey Craig Houston Brenden Parker Lachlan Dwyer Goal Dathan Pleiter (GK) Stephen McCann (GK)

The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring.

The Perth Sharks finished in first place last season but this success didn’t translate in the playoffs. The Sharks had a break out year (from last place in 2013-2014) led by the leagues highest point scorer Tomek Sak (23G,12A,35P in 13 games). Both Sak and the Sharks tripled their production from the year before. This season is about continuing on what they built up last year.

“We are focusing on secondary scoring this year” says coach Dave Ruck. “We also have some holes to fill on the blue line so there are opportunities for some of the guys to step up and take responsibility”.

The Sharks might have lost D-man James Woodman but National Junior Team player and Perth Thunder prospect Alistair Punler looks to be capable and touted to have a break out year in the AJIHL.

Ruck likes the look of this years team and describes the unit as having a fun, hard working culture with the right team attitude. “The guys just get it. That for us to take it to the next level, the team comes first”

2014-2015 season ranking = 1st
2014-2015 final ranking = 4th

Additions:
Adam Sheppard, Oscar Zhu, Adam Bridge, Kevin Mateiu, Benjamin Kelly

Subtractions:
James Woodman (Age), William Moffatt (overseas), Dominic Carlson (age), Ivan Ageev (overseas), Rowan Sobey(injured), Corey Pudner

Forwards:
Tomek Sak
Brad Campbell
Ben Stolze
Bruno Stolze
Harry Tanner
Benjamin Kelly
Oscar Zhu
Charlie Tennant
Kevin Mateiu

Defence:
Connor Knapman
Alastair Punler
Sean McLean
Adam Sheppard
Adam Bridge
Kym White

Goal
Mark McCann
Hayden Stobbs

The Sharks have lost some scoring with Woodman and a few other subtractions, but with a focus on secondary scoring Bradley Campbell, Benedik and Bruno Stolze will be worth watching this season as they could follow Saks lead.

The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. The Whalers are off to a better start this season with a win over the Melbourne Glacier’s Thursday Night. It could be a sign that things will be different compared to last year. Coach Michael Flaherty likes the look of his new line up and injection of Youth “The young talent that has come through this season is exciting and we have room for dramatic improvement from last year”. Last Year Season Ranking = 6th Last Year Final Ranking = 6th Additions: Evan Connard, Marc Bortolotto, Adam Bunting, Aleksander Anderson, Liam McConnell, Fraser Ohlson (G) Subtractions: Remi Beland (Age), Nickolaos French (Overseas), Ryan Foll(Adelaide), Theodore Fabijan(Adelaide), Zahan Shafeeg(Age), Ariel Singer, Mackenzie Hill, Paul Lazzarotto, Chris Wong Forwards Sam Stewart Robbie Rama (F/D) Andrew Johns Byron Tschuma Adam Bunting Harrison McQuade Aleksander Anderson Liam McConnell Marc Bortolotto Defence Harrison Jaunozols Damian Pandolfo Nick Norton Evan Connard Taras Cheprakov (IR) Goal Fraser Ohlson (G) Similar to the Glaciers last season, the scoring has been generated from the blue line as both Jaunozols and Pandolfo were amongst the teams top scorers. Whilst goals are important Flaherty is keen to tighten up his defence. “Our defensive structure needs to improve from last season and will be a key focus. We need to lighten up the workload for our goalie and contribute more offensively as well”. That goalie is ex-Glaciers net minder Fraser Ohlson who has already put one over his old team. When it comes to contributing offensively rookie forward Byron Tschuma is off to a great start scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in the Home Derby on Thursday. The team also starts the year without Taras Cheprakov (3G, 1A in 4 games) who is out with a shoulder injury. He is expected back in January and can hopefully join the Whalers in a push for the finals.