Melbourne Ice rout Mustangs

MELBOURNE, Australia – Melbourne Ice hosted the Melbourne Mustangs in the second derby of the season. Melbourne Ice were supreme and ran away with the game in a convincing 9-0 victory at the Obrien Group Arena, Docklands Melbourne Australia.  

The Ice were slowly building throughout the game and exploding in the 3rd and scoring six goals. There was that point in the third period that the Mustangs goalie attempted to come off  and skated to the bench, he was sent straight back. After the next goal was scored by the Melbourne Ice, the Mustangs goalie was allowed to come off and take a seat on the bench.  

The game boiled over with 3.04 to go in the final frame and all players on the ice coming to pushing and shoving and a couple of punches being thrown. One player from each team was given a match penalty and they will miss the next game. There should have been one more player from the Ice who should have also been given a game misconduct. Total penalty minutes were 66.  

Mustangs had control of the puck but it was the attempt to shoot on goal that really has let them down and only having 19 shots on goal to Melbourne Ice’s 35 shots on goal. Ice seemed to stop short when they had the puck and the Mustangs come to close. Mustangs had no problems in placing the body checks on the Melbourne Ice.

Melbourne Ice seem to have found their groove and will be at the top when it comes to the finals. Mustangs are showing potential and need to sustain the intensity into the third period as well as improve with the shots on goal and in the defence. Would expect the Mustangs to be near the bottom of the latter when it comes to final times.  

Over all this game lived up to the expectations for a Melbourne derby and the emotion that is felt on the ice and with the fans,

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