Bear Essentials: Approaching Halfway

This week in the Bear Essentials, presented by Genesis Edge Law Group, we cover an important win over the Melbourne Mustangs and look ahead to a big weekend. Let’s dive into the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) action and look at some trends along the way.

The Bears entered the weekend in sixth, but in danger of dropping out of the final playoff spot with the Melbourne Ice and Canberra Brave within touching distance. While it wasn’t technically a must-win game, it felt like the importance was ratcheted up, particularly with the Bears coming off their first two-game losing streak of the season.

Nick Seitz ensured the Bears got off to a quick start, sliding home a powerplay goal off a rebound just 64 seconds into the contest. The Mustangs tied things up five minutes later, and Seitz once again scored the go-ahead goal 43 seconds into the second period.

Goals by Gustav Remler-Jensen and Alexander Wardlaw gave the Bears some breathing room heading into the third. Two Mustangs goals in the third made things tight for the final few minutes, but the Bears hung on for the win.

It wasn’t the prettiest win of the season, but it felt like the most important win of the season thus far. The win ensured the Bears hung on to sixth place in the standings on points, and fourth on points percentage.

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Alexander Gauthier has been a vital presence on the blueline, and he threw some big hits throughout the game and also chipped in two assists.

Lucas Herrmann has recorded a point in each of the last 10 games, with 18 points (9G, 9A) across those contests. In the first 11 games of the season, Herrmann, a natural playmaker, recorded six total assists. In the last two games, he has collected four assists.

A big reason for that shift from goalscorer to playmaker has been the arrival of Nick Seitz. The 26-year-old from New York, USA, has now scored six goals in the last two games.

Hayden Plimley also had a bounce-back game after losing for the first time in Newcastle last week. The 20-year-old now has a 3-1-0-0 record in five AIHL appearances.

And finally, Gustav Remler-Jensen recorded his third goal of the season, which equals his goal output in his rookie season last year with the Central Coast Rhinos. Remler-Jensen has 12 points in 13 games and has been an effective part of the top line.

What’s Next

It’s been a month since the Bears played twice in a weekend, and two big games loom large. The conclusion of the weekend will also mark the halfway point of the regular season in games played for the Bears.

First, the Battle of Sydney continues on Saturday as the Ice Dogs host the Bears, looking to secure the Wilson Cup. Any outcome other than a Bears regulation win would see the Ice Dogs earn the trophy for the first time since 2018. It’s fitting that this game has been selected as the first Game of the Week to be featured on ESPN and Disney+ for the 2026 AIHL season.

Next, on Sunday, the Bears travel to Erina to take on the Central Coast Rhinos. The Bears currently trail the Rhinos by two points, but have played four fewer games. Depending on other results, the Bears could be anywhere from fourth to ninth by the weekend’s conclusion.

The team will be back at home the following weekend, hosting the Melbourne Ice on Saturday, June 27, and the Brisbane Lightning on Sunday, June 28. With every home game selling out so far, make sure you get your tickets early to avoid missing out.