The MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs enter the final month of the 2016 AIHL season 11 points adrift of the top four. However, they still hold on to the hope that a winning run can put them back in contention and will be doing everything in their power to ensure they finish the season as strongly as possible. The Mustangs head to Adelaide this week looking to start this run with two high quality performances against the Adelaide Adrenaline.

Both teams head into the weekend on the back of disappointing results. The Mustangs went down in another close encounter with Melbourne Ice in the third Melbourne Derby of the season. Scores were level for the majority of the game, but yet again the Mustangs conceded a late heartbreaking goal to their local rivals.

Following this tough Melbourne Derby loss, the Mustangs will need to regroup and focus their energy on an Adrenaline side who also have been struggling in recent weeks. They are returning home from a torrid road trip to Canberra where they racked up far more injuries than points. 

The Adrenaline losing streak was extended to four games and they gave up a total of 15 goals in the process, but they were not completely outplayed. Despite a mounting injury toll, the Adrenaline put in a spirited final period to draw within one goal of the CBR Brave with just over a minute to go. As they pressed to tie the game, the Adrenaline conceded a couple of empty net goals, thus the final score of 8-5 was not a true reflection of the game. Three of those goals were scored on the power play, so the Mustangs will need to steer clear of the penalty box this weekend.

When the teams met in Melbourne earlier in the season the Mustangs earned two narrow victories. The first came on the back of two power play goals to Pat O’Kane in a much disciplined display where they only gave up one opportunity for the Adrenaline to play with the extra man. The other game, where every Mustangs score was countered almost immediately by an Adrenaline goal, was decided via shootout success to Jamie Bourke and Vadim Virjassov. These players will again have to play a big role if the Mustangs are to emerge triumphant this time around.

On home ice the Adrenaline are expected to be even tougher which means the Mustangs will need to remain focused the entire weekend. They cannot afford any lapse in concentration as the Adrenaline have shown a courageous spirit to fight back when behind on the scoreboard.

It is fantastic to see that there will again be a cavalry of Mustangs fans making the trip west to support the team. It is really commendable to have such a committed and passionate fan base that turn up to encourage the team win, lose or draw. This 2016 season has had its ups and downs, but your endless support is appreciated by the team and hopefully they can draw on this to provide a great spectacle and return home with maximum points.