Mustangs improve out of sight

By Robert Bremner

After a disappointing ice hockey season in 2012, the Melbourne Mustangs have started 2013 with a lot of promise.

The newly-formed side only managed to score five wins and finished bottom of the ladder last season. Fast forward six months, and they have already scored two wins as well as a fantastic comeback win in overtime. If their form continues we could be looking at the possibility of both Melbourne teams making the play offs.

The season began with the Mustangs continuing their dismal form against the Ice with a 7-2 drubbing, but found themselves on the winners list the following week against the Knights. They then were just beaten by the Ice Dogs before exacting their revenge a few weeks later in extraordinary style.

Down by  three goals going into the final third, the Mustangs miraculously fought their way back sending the match into overtime where they scored the only goal, beating the stunned Ice Dogs 4-3 in what was one of their greatest wins in their short history.

Cross town rivals, Melbourne Ice haven’t had the greatest start to the 2013 season. Premiers for the last three years, Ice have not had the stranglehold over the competition that it has had in previous seasons. Ice currently sits in third place behind the Sydney Ice dogs and last year’s finalists New Castle North Stars.

Melbourne started off in fantastic fashion with impressive wins over Mustangs and twice over the Thunder. Since then they have hit a slight form slump dropping games against the North Stars, Ice Dogs and Adrenaline all at home. They did manage to turn the tables on the Adrenaline the following day crushing them 9-3.

Next up the Ice play the Knights and will be desperately searching for a win to keep in touch with the top two, while the Mustangs will also play the Knights and will be hoping to keep themselves within striking distance of the top four.

The AIHL is down to eight clubs this season as the Gold Coast Blue Tongues have had their licence suspended for the year as they were unable to obtain a home venue.