A year ago the MOAT: Melbourne Mustangs had a target on their back. They were the reigning AIHL champions and every other team had that extra bit of incentive to knock them off. This year the Newcastle Norths Stars are in that position, and the Mustangs will be determined to raise their game when the NSW-based side returns to the scene of their championship victory this weekend.
The Mustangs are back at home following a disappointing Perth road trip where they were unable to score enough to trouble the Perth Thunder. They created plenty of opportunities, but all bar one of their 73 shots were dealt with by Thunder goaltender Thomas Heemskerk. It only took the one shot from Andrew Cox to claim the first game for the Thunder, and then a poor second period, where they gave up 4 goals, cost the Mustangs any chance of a win in the second game, despite opening the scoring through Pat O’Kane. The Mustangs are still doing a lot of things right, but need to create more traffic in front of net to make it more difficult for these high quality goalies to deny the shots or rebounds.
It will not be easy for the Mustangs to get back into the winners circle, as the North Stars have not yet lost in regulation in 2016, although they have dropped points in shootouts, including in their most recent game against the CBR Brave. The teams traded goals throughout the game but the North Stars could not find the next in the shootout, going down 4-3.
With the exception of Scott Swiston, the North Stars have parted ways with the imports who accounted for much of last year’s scoring. However, they have brought talented replacements in Brandon Wong and Connor McLaughlin who have already developed good combinations with Swiston, as they strive to be the first team since 2012 to win the Goodall Cup back-to-back.
While these players are among the early leaders in the point scoring race, the North Stars are a very balanced side and in last meeting between the teams, it was a line of locals with the lone goal for the North Stars. The Mustangs know they must remain focused and cannot relax no matter who is on the ice.
The Mustangs will be looking to gain ascendency by applying pressure to the North Stars defence. It is what they do well, they just need to ensure they have a net front presence ready to convert chances into goals. Aside from that one period in the last home game against the Brave, goals have been hard to come by and consistent scoring is the only way the Mustangs will get back to the top.
The Mustangs will be aware of the burden that comes with being the benchmark of the league and will undoubtedly rise to the challenge this weekend to renew their desire to bring the Goodall Cup back to Melbourne.
RHINOS
LIGHTNING
NORTHSTARS
ICE
THUNDER
ADRENALINE
MUSTANGS
BRAVE
