The puck drops on the 2016 AIHL season this weekend, and the MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs will be fired up for a strong start to their campaign.
When their 2015 season ended prematurely the Mustangs were bitterly disappointed and will be determined to perform better in 2016. The aim will be a return to the finals and, ideally, to claim the Goodall Cup for the second time. What better way to make a statement on these aspirations than starting with a victory over local rivals and last year’s runners up, the Melbourne Ice.
The Melbourne derby has developed into an intense rivalry that always provides a great spectacle. After a long offseason, fans and players alike are eager to get back into the AIHL which means the O’Brien Group Arena is guaranteed, once again, to be packed to the rafters. We can expect another fiery, physical contest between two rivals who love nothing more than to assert themselves as the top ice hockey team in this sports mad city.
While the Ice have a better overall record in derby games, the Mustangs can feel satisfied with the knowledge that the only finals meeting was a dominant Grand Final display in 2014. The squad has changed somewhat since then, but the core group of players who remain, will be keen to lead the team towards another AIHL championship. Some of the new faces brought in to help achieve that goal include Mark Higgins and James Issacs, brought in to strengthen the defence, as well as Eric Louis-Seize and David Sefic to increase depth in the forwards.
It is essential that the Mustangs put in a committed performance in order to come away with a victory. They will be desperate to avoid a repeat of early 2015, where a series of poor results meant they had to play catch up on the rest of the league for most of the season. The Mustangs began last year with four losses from their first six games, including two heartbreaking one goal losses to the Melbourne Ice. Both of those games could have gone either way and Mustangs can take solace from how little separates the teams. However, giving up late goals each time set the tone for a season that included a record number of losses by one goal. This record in close games is something that the Mustangs must improve upon to have any chance of success in 2016.
Driven by the frustration of last season and with no "reigning champions" pressure to perform under new head coach Michael Flaherty as there was last year, the Mustangs are primed for a great year in 2016. They have the belief to get back to the top and now just have to put it into action.
Melbourne Mustangs v Melbourne Ice Saturday 23 April, 7pm O'Brien Group Arena, Pearl River Rd, Docklands
This is an Ice home game and all Mustangs members will need to purchase tickets. Tickets available at bit.ly/MustangsTickets
The official MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs after match function will be held in the newly renovated St Moritz Bar at O'Brien Group Arena. There will be $5 coors and ciders on sale, and snack food available. Come and meet the players and catch up with your hockey friends after the first game of the year!
RHINOS
LIGHTNING
NORTHSTARS
ICE
THUNDER
ADRENALINE
MUSTANGS
BRAVE
