Team | GP | W | L | OTW | OTL | CP | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adrenaline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lightning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brave | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rhinos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Northstars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player | Points |
---|---|
Connor Bolger (CCR) | 0 |
Mackenzie Bolger (CCR) | 0 |
Estefano Bonfante (CCR) | 0 |
Jack Buffey (CCR) | 0 |
Reigning AIHL Champions eliminated by Mustangs |
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The Newcastle Northstars and the Melbourne Mustangs met on Sunday night at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium for one of the most vital games of the season so far. The last time they met on Newcastle ice both teams sat at the bottom of the ladder, struggling to gain traction on a finals position. Yet by August 13, they were head-to-head in a battle for fourth place. With the 6-1 victory going to the Mustangs, they moved closer to a tilt at the Goodall Cup, while the Northstars thanked their fans for their support.
It was a game that had quite literally everything: the visiting team the direct threat; a home side – and current back-to-back Goodall Cup Champions on the brink of Finals elimination; in the end, 70 shots on goal between them; a starting goalie pulled; a Captain ejected from the game; endless penalty minutes and a hat trick. The only facet of drama this game lacked was a fairy-tale comeback.
Unfortunately for the Northstars their dreams of going for the Goodall Cup “three-peat” were dashed, with a short-handed goal by Zane Jones their only mark on the scoreboard.
It was Anton Kokkonen who opened the account for the Mustangs just 6 minutes into the game, with an assist from Maxime Langelier-Parent. Proving a dangerous passing arrangement, the pair combined effectively twice more to press the Mustangs advantage on the scoreboard – starting with Parent’s first goal in the first period, and again in the final frame for Maxime’s hat trick.
Down 2-0 in the second, the Northstars’ could not convert opportunities and tempers flared in the last eight minutes of the period and the Northstars took a Team Penalty for misconduct and conceded a short handed goal to Parent. In the fracas that ensued two minutes later, Captain Robert Malloy, trying to spark something in his team was ejected from the game for a fighting major, while Mustangs’ Andrew Bellic was ejected for fighting and a game misconduct.
The end of an unruly second period saw the home team down four goals, their starting goalie pulled and on the brink of elimination.
Denied by Parent, neither side willing to give an inch. Photo: Rhys Lavender.
The third remained physical but significantly more focused. Zane Jones gave the crowd heart with a short handed goal and move the score 4-1. But the Mustangs kept pressing and as the Northstars continued to bleed penalties, Vadim Virjassov and Parent exploited opportunities, taking Mustangs to 6-1.
“We’ve limped, dragged and at times felt like a walking zombie of a hockey club during this season,” Coach Andrew Petrie expressed after the game.
“I am prouder of these guys than the two (Northstars Championship) teams that won because – and I don't want to make comparisons – but they’ve never stopped trying. Even tonight.”
With an eye clearly on the Cup, Mustangs Coach Michael Flaherty spoke of the focus his team brought to New South Wales.
“We came in hoping to get the six points for this weekend, and we were able to that, Flaherty said
“That really sets us up right now to hopefully go to the finals.”
The Mustangs have not managed to clinch a finals berth since their historic AIHL Finals victory over the Melbourne Ice in 2014, and narrowly missed out in 2015 and 2016.
“We still have to win another game before we can guarantee a spot,” noted Flaherty, “and there are always things we need to work one… play the hockey we want the whole way through.”
Commenting on the Mustangs’ form and Finals chances, Petrie – a Coach who’s lifted the Goodall Cup three times – believes they could offer up a fright.
Jamie Bourke, Matt Beattie and Maxime Langelier-Parent are all smiles, celebrating the win against a tough team. Photo: Rhys Lavender.
“That Mustangs team that played tonight, if they can replicate that in the playoffs they're going to scare everyone. That was a really, really good hockey club.” Petrie said.
As the Mustangs look forward to their double header at home against the currently second-placed Perth Thunder, focused on creating a comfortable point buffer between them and the Ice Dogs to guarantee a Finals berth – and possibly eye off the CBR Brave in third.
The Newcastle Northstars also look to the future, to 2018 – a clean slate and another chance.
The Northstars' family gathers centre ice after the momentous game. Photo: Rhys Lavender. |
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Contact Information
Australian Ice Hockey League Ltd
Level 1
7 Lonsdale Street
Braddon, Australian Capital Territory
2612 Australia
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