Thunder 2 - Ice 5

The Perth Thunder have ended their 2016 regular season with a 5-2 loss at the hands of first-placed Melbourne Ice at O'Brien Group Arena on Sunday night.

Mark McCann was in net for his first start of the season and was solid for the Thunder, posting 37 saves on 42 shots, including turning aside 19 shots during a frantic first period as the Ice took control of the contest.

Ben Breault finished his record-breaking season with 52 points, adding a goal to his season tally (26 goals, 26 assists), while Michael Dorr also burst through the 50-point barrier, tallying a goal and an assist to move his total to 51 (20 goals, 31 assists).

The Ice dominated early in what was essentially a dead rubber, with no result able to effect ladder position, as they moved to a 2-0 lead before the end of the first period, posting a huge 21-3 advantage in shots.

Breault opened the Thunder scoring early in the second period to cut the deficit to 2-1 after a snipe from the low slot, with Dorr and Rob Haselhurst credited with assists.

The Ice then extended the lead with a power play goal, before Dorr beat the Ice goaltender in a race for the puck, slotting an unassisted goal in to the empty net to cut the lead back to 3-2 after two periods.

Both teams created chances in the third period, but it was the Ice who were able to capitalise, scoring twice to take the points with a 5-2 victory.

The split weekend with the Ice means the Thunder finish the regular season in second place, the highest-ever finish by the Perth Thunder in an AIHL season.

The second-placed finish ensures the Thunder will play the Newcastle North Stars in a semi-final at O'Brien Group Arena next Saturday, August 27 at 4pm AWST, with the winner to progress to the Goodall Cup Final on Sunday, August 28.