Preview Round 17 – Melbourne Mustangs v Adelaide Adrenaline

As we reach the penultimate weekend of the AIHL season the MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs disappointing early season form has finally caught up with them. Another high scoring loss to the Sydney Bears, coupled with a CBR Brave victory over the weekend means that, barring a miracle, the Mustangs hopes of retaining the Goodall Cup have all but ended. The important thing now is to finish the year strongly, and start building towards a better 2016. The Mustangs final three games will all be played at the Icehouse, starting with a double this weekend against the Adelaide Adrenaline.

While their finals hopes may have disappeared, the Mustangs can still play spoiler on those of the Adrenaline. With four games remaining the Adrenaline can still qualify, but need to win all of those games, so they will be certain to come out firing. The Mustangs will need to be ready from the opening puck drop or we could see a similar start to the one when these teams met in Adelaide two weeks ago. In that game, the Adrenaline scored twice in the opening minute, and by the 10th minute, their lead had opened up to 4-1. The Mustangs then steadied and fought their way back to take the lead midway through the third period. For a moment they looked to have extended it, however a late Mustangs goal was waved off, and Adelaide equalised less than a minute later, before going on win to the shootout. Canadian import Kory Helowka was the game breaker for the Adrenaline, scoring a hat trick including the crucial equaliser, and then sealing the win for the home team in the shootout. Adding a goal and two assists last weekend, Helowka is certainly a player the Mustangs will need to watch.

The Adrenaline head to Melbourne following successive defeats by the Newcastle North Stars. They did manage to collect a vital point in a shootout loss in the second game, but after leading twice in the game, they will see it as two points lost and will be eager to avoid this happening this weekend. If the Adrenaline are allowed another quick start they will look to shut down the Mustangs and not allow them back into the contest. Over the past month the Mustangs have shown they can get themselves back into games despite trailing, but playing catch up hockey takes its toll, as demonstrated by the Mustangs results this season.

As long as the Mustangs start these games strongly, they should be able to end the season on a high note. Their offence has been very good recently, with an improved shooting percentage they have often been able to turn one goal into a sequence of goals. They now need to use these last few games to set their defence standard on which they can build a return to the finals next season. It has been good to see younger players like Corey Stringer brought along to the point where he is gaining confidence and picking up assists on goals. Along with Ethan Cornford and Jack Hayes, the Mustangs have strong core of players with potential for the future and it won’t be long before the Goodall Cup is back within their grasp.