Armstrong joins 300 point club

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The Melbourne Ice’s Matt Armstrong has become just the sixth player in AIHL history to pass 300 regular season points and the first career import to reach the mark.
 
Having scored a double on Sunday night, it wasn’t until the final goal of the night Tommy Powell that Armstrong passed the mark, tallying the first assist on the goal.
 
The milestone came as a surprise to the Canadian forward.
 
“I didn’t know I was [close to 300 points] at that point but when it comes over the intercom, it’s always a pleasure,” Armstrong said.
 
Armstrong has had an illustrious career in the AIHL, winning three Goodall Cups from 2010 to 2012 and scoring 121 goals and 179 assists in just 154 games.
 
Armstrong should pass Robert Starke - the Newcastle North Stars defenceman who retired after tallying 301 points in his career, currently good enough for fifth-place on the all-time list - at some point this season.

In front of Starke are Armstrong's Melbourne Ice teammates Tommy Powell (362 points) and Lliam Webster (368 points), current Sydney Ice Dogs Coach Vladimir Rubes (399 points), and Adelaide Adrenaline Captain Greg Oddy (569 points).
 
It makes Armstrong the second fastest player to 300 points, behind only Oddy, who reach the mark in just his 139^th game back in 2007.
 
When asked about whether he thought he’d be around for seven seasons to reaching a milestone like this, Armstrong seemed surprised.
 
“Seven years…wow – it’s almost a decade,” Armstrong said. “When I first got here, I didn’t think I’d be here for seven seasons so it is just a milestone I was able to reach while I was here so I’m pretty happy with that.”
 
Being an amateur league, a big drawcard to players coming to the AIHL - including Armstrong - is the lifestyle, which has been one of the factors in his longevity.
 
“To work in hockey in a city like Melbourne is awesome,” Armstrong said. “Australia is an amazing country and it’s been good so we’re going to stay for a bit.”
 
For a professional ice hockey player who has played in leagues around the work, Armstrong has spent more time in the AIHL than in any other league.
 
Armstrong is pleased by the improvements the league has seen particularly in the on-ice competitiveness in the time he’s played.
 
“It seems like every year, since 2010, the league progressively gets better and I think this year is a tell-tale sign of that,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure to play in good hockey games and the league is progressing every year so it’s good.”
 
Armstrong will travel with the Melbourne Ice to Brisbane this weekend to take on the Sydney Bears. Get your tickets here.
 
Armstrong will also captain one of the teams on the All-Star Weekend at the Penrith Ice Palace on June 11 and 12. Get your tickets here.