Sydney Sirens dominating the AWIHL

It’s past the midway point in the AWIHL season so now is a perfect time to check in with the league with some of the best team names in sports.

The Sydney Sirens have had a dominant start to the season with 10 regulation and two overtime wins now under their belt. They currently lead the league with 28 points in 10 games. The first game of the season resulted in a four-goal night for Sharna Godfrey, who is currently leading the league with 17 points (10 goals, 7 assists).

Rookie Shiarna Tarasenko also scored her first AWIHL goal in her first game after being a training member with the team last year. The 15-year-old scored late in the third in her debut to secure the Sirens a win over the Adelaide Rush.

Since then the Sirens have continued to dominate their opponents, with the team amassing a massive 36 goals in the first half of the season with a 6.00 G/PG average and four players currently ranking in the top ten in scoring heading into the Christmas break. If the Sirens continue at this pace they will be heading into the finals as the top seed and have a chance to finally be named league champions after a number of years finishing in second place.

The Melbourne Ice had a rocky start to the season with the previous Joan McKowen Trophy winners falling 7-4 to the Brisbane Goannas in their home opener. Since then the Ice have recorded six regulation wins and another four regulation losses for 18 points in their first 10 games.

The Ice also have the second highest number of total goals with 31 coming in only five behind the league leading Sirens. Import and right wing Christina Julien is having a fantastic start to the season with 12 points so far. The forward transitioned back to ice hockey while studying in Australia after representing Canada as a member of the Canadian Woman's National Soccer team since 2009. The Ice will be looking to improve in the second half of the season as they look to continue their AWIHL dominance with a fifth straight championship.

The Brisbane Goannas have also had a strong start to the season. After taking down reigning league champions, the Melbourne Ice, during opening weekend, their success has continued. The Goannas started the season with five regulation wins, three losses and two overtime losses to place them at third overall with 17 points.

This is a massive improvement from the team that only had one regulation victory in the last two seasons. Emma Grey is currently leading Brisbane in points while being tied for third in overall points thanks to a career best season (after only six games). A strong finish this season could give the Goannas their highest regular season finish in the history of the league.

Game 2:
Goannas 7 defeated Adelaide 2

Thanks to Adelaide Rush for being.great hosts

— Goannas Ice Hockey (@GoannasHockey) January 15, 2017

The Adelaide Rush have had a rough first half of the season. After re-branding and separating from their AIHL counterparts, the Adelaide Adrenaline, the Rush have gone 10 straight games without a win.

Kelly Harris is currently leading the team in points, but a lack of offense and a goals against average of 7.30 has left Adelaide sitting pointless at the bottom of the standings. However, goaltending may not be the biggest issue.

The Rush’s defense needs to tighten up. Adelaide’s goalies are facing an average of 54 shots a night. Regardless, the Rush will be looking for a better finish to the season than the start if they want to have any chance of moving past the semi-finals.

With only a few games left and players on the U20 national team returning back to line ups from Worlds teams will be looking to improve as the countdown to the final weekend in Sydney approaches.