Harcharik's four goals and a win for Northstars

The Melbourne Mustangs were eager to grab much-needed six points this weekend in their double-header against the Newcastle Northstars to help secure a fourth place Finals berth. However with four big goals from Joseph Harcharik, Sunday’s final score read 4-1 to the Northstars, giving both teams a three-point split.

The Northstars bounced back well from their 3-6 loss to the Mustangs last night, and in a game characterised by the chances exchanged - and saves - at either end, it was the Northstars’ possession that proved the ultimate decider.

Northstars' Joseph Harcharik with the hot stick in Melbourne. Photo: Tania Chalmers.

Mustangs’ Anton Kokkonen lead an early breakaway but was denied by a great save by Northstars’ goaltender Charlie Smart.

At the other end of the ice, Northstars’ Jackson McCoy had two big chances – each stopped by Pat O’Kane in an almost identical fashion – which enabled the Northstars to play the puck deep into the Mustangs’ zone with Matt Lindsey positioned well to score, but ultimately denied by goaltender James Kruger.

The first power play of the night went to the Northstars when Jamie Bourke was called for slashing Zane Jones. Shortly after Bourke was free from the box a second power play went to the Mustangs with Kale Kerbashian receiving a slashing call on Matt Beattie, however neither team could exploit the opportunity.

With three minutes left in the first period, it was Pat O’Kane who eventually found the net, scoring his 13^th goal of the year with a spectacular two-on-one play assisted by Kokkonen, taking the Mustangs 1-0 into the intermission.

O’Kane and Kokkonen are proving to be a powerhouse duo for the Mustangs, with fluid passing and scoring off set ups from one another.

Mustangs' Anton Kokkonen (#56) proving his offensive power with several chances and setting up team mate O'Kane all evening. Photo: Phil Taylor.

Early in the 2^nd period Kruger continued denying chances, even as Kerbashian set up Joseph Harcharik.  O’Kane landed a big hit on Northstars’ Dave Ferrari with the pace of the game quickening and with eight and a half minutes left on the clock, Hamish Powell and Troy Robertson scuffled behind the net.

With six minutes to go, Northstars’ Harcharik offense placed pressure on the home team: first with a crisp, one-time drive, saved by Kruger, but eventually passing the netminder with 20 seconds left in the period to tie the game 1-1.

The 3^rd period ramped up the pressure cooker: with Jonatan Ruth and Liam Manwarring scuffling with Luke Fisher, and Jamie Bourke and Steve Kuhn looking like they were going to exchange more than words.

The pace picked up in the third period, as did the emotions. Photo: Phil Taylor. 

Once settled, Hacharik found his feet: scoring his second goal of the night with an assist from Kerbashian, and again on a breakaway due to a lost pass from Beattie, with five minutes left in the third, to take his hat trick.

With 3-1 on the board, the Mustangs pulled Kruger to gain the extra man advantage, but with the empty net Hacharik continued to deliver punishment, taking the Northstars to 4-1 with his fourth goal of the night.

Man on fire: Harcharik puts four goals on the board for Northstars. Photo:Tania Chalmers.

Despite the penalty minutes, both the Northstars and Mustangs were clearly focused on the regulation win.

Gaining three competition may not be enough to save the Northstars’ season however, as they’ll rely on losses by other teams – notably the Mustangs and Sydney Ice Dogs – to keep their Goodall Cup hopes alive.

The Mustangs take away three points from the weekend and will now watch the Sydney Ice Dogs who have played one game less than the Mustangs and may be the only team able to challenge their fourth position on the AIHL ladder, and the CBR Brave four points ahead in third.