MELBOURNE, Victoria – Just two games were played on Sunday 15th July, to wrap up week 10 of the regular AIHL season.
After the Sydney Bears shock win over the Perth Thunder on the Saturday, they made it a maximum 6-point weekend with a tightly fought 2-1 win over hosts Melbourne Mustangs. Adding to the Mustangs inconsistent and frustrating season to date.
Bears Captain Michael Schlamp scoring the winning goal ensuring the maximum points on one of the toughest road trips. Tomas Landa the other goal scorer for the Bears, Mustangs Matt Anderson was the lone scorer with his first period goal.
The Mustangs had their chances but not making the most of multiple power play opportunities, which has been an issue for the young colts throughout the season. The more seasoned and experienced Bears outfit showing their opponents, they have much to learn.
The big news to come post game was the announcement Head Coach Bill Wilkinson and the Melbourne Mustangs were parting ways. Consistency seems to be the issue, the probability that results such as a 10-0 drumming one day and then 3-2 victory the very next could have been the catalyst for the apparent mutual agreement.
Mustangs Assistant Steve Laforet will step in as caretaker coach for the remainder of the season, giving Laforet a great opportunity to show what he can offer the embattled club moving forward.
For the Mustangs now it is all about 2013 after they would have been expecting bigger and better things this season. The young Mustangs were incepted into the league last season and while their inaugural showed us a raw and style of game.Early in the 2011 season the Mustangs were touted as possible finalists surprising many, the club did ultimately settle into the back half of the standings.
As previously mentioned, consistency and earning their own recognition as an equal to the well established Melbourne Ice is going to be a tall order for the young club.
Meanwhile in Sydney, NSW the Melbourne Ice were warmly welcomed by an unforgiving Sydney Ice Dogs outfit.
With scenes that resembled the good old days of the WWF (only in this bout the fights were real), Melbourne snatched a 4-3 victory in a game that saw 12 players in total ejected from the game and 10 in a brutal the final period.
Both the Ice and Ice Dogs have more than their fair share of penalty minutes and controversy this season and the game was right in the balance at 3-3 in the third when the fireworks erupted. In the aftermath with both teams severely depleted, it took a goal from Melbourne’s teenager Chris Wong to seal the victory.
All interest now focused on the League and what the possible ramifications are to come from this and how it could affect the remainder of the season for the two clubs.
This weekend 21st and 22nd July sees the Adelaide Adrenaline back in action after two weeks off, make their first of back to back weekends on the road. This trip sees Adelaide in Canberra to take on the struggling Knights and seek some retribution after their opening weekend loss at home to the Knights. Then Sunday heading to Sydney to look at putting a leash on the embattled Ice Dogs and with no love loss between these two could we see more fireworks in Liverpool?
Newcastle North Stars finally take to the road heading out to the wild west to face Perth Thunder and then back to Melbourne for the Mustangs. Will the North Stars be just as comfortable on the road and can they emulate the recent success of the Bears on the very same trip?
Bitter cross town rivals Sydney Ice Dogs play and Sydney Bears go head to head on Saturday. The Bears then host Canberra on Sunday in a huge weekend that could see the Bears continue recent winning form. No better opportunity with not have to leave their home city, the Bears are a real chance to make it four in a row.
Seven very exciting games for the weekend and for Adelaide Adrenaline and the Sydney Bears a maximum six point weekend doesn’t get more important.
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