Weekend Preview - Perth Thunder

With points in their last five road games, The James Melbourne Mustangs have played some of their best hockey away from home in 2017. Given that only two of their remaining eight games are in Melbourne, the Mustangs will be hoping that form continues through to the end of the regular season, but their next challenge could be their toughest yet. This week the Mustangs head across country to face an in-form Perth Thunder, while in need of wins to secure their place in the AIHL top four.

Another weekend of inconsistency, where they split the points with the Newcastle Northstars, has allowed the teams below the Mustangs to stay in the race for the finals. This means the Mustangs can now not afford a slip up against one of the most consistent teams in the AIHL this year. It is frustrating to see how they can be so dominant over a team one day, only to fade away against the same team the following day.

Meanwhile, the Thunder have won their last five games and are sitting comfortably in second spot. They will be full of confidence after completing a season sweep over the CBR Brave and are fresh off a bye last weekend, so it will take a huge effort for the Mustangs to end this streak.

Key to the Thunder’s success this year has been the goaltending of Peter Di Salvo. As they are in the bottom two teams for goals per game, though still scoring considerably more frequently than the Ice Dogs, it has been Di Salvo’s ability to keep opponents to under 2.5 goals per game that has earned the Thunder a number of their victories. The Mustangs will need to maintain a high shot count and strong presence in front of the net if they are to get the puck past him. In defence, the Mustangs will need to shut down Ben Breault and Jessyko Bernard. With 15 goals each, they account for nearly half of the Thunder’s scoring this season.

As the only team the Mustangs have yet to face, a positive performance against the Thunder will provide a huge boost for their finals aspirations. If the Mustangs can improve their record on the road with victory in Perth they will have shown themselves capable of defeating every team this season. While there is still a return match up in Melbourne in a few weeks, it will make a far greater statement about their ambitions if the Mustangs are able to overcome a finals-bound opponent on their home ice.