The Australian Ice Hockey League’s latest addition, the Mustangs, tagged league heavyweights Adelaide Adrenaline not once but twice last weekend on home ice at Melbourne’s Medibank Icehouse.
The Mustangs were formed on the premise that Victoria’s youth weren’t getting enough opportunities with a single AIHL team, the Melbourne Ice.
It’s a question often chewed over by sports administrators, of whether it’s better to provide more opportunity to upcoming players at the expense of quality, or to set a high standard at the expense of opportunity.
The very significant proportion of under-18 players on the Mustangs can give punters the impression that the Mustangs are under-cooked. Last weekend’s results were a pretty damned good reason to think again.
The author was one such doubter, thinking the Mustangs mostly like to finish the season in 6th or 7th place in a field of 8 teams, with positions 5 or 8 also possibilities. He may need to revise that judgement to a couple of places north.
Sure, the Adrenaline still don’t have their complete side, and have some players in recovery or injured, but they’re probably at 80 to 90 percent strength, not 50.
Following their 5-2 and 5-3 wins over last year’s finalists, the Mustangs have to be considered for a top-four finish and a crack at the 2011 finals in their debut season.
‘One swallow does not a summer make’ is certainly true in the AIHL, where early season results can vary wildly, but after wins versus the Bears and Adrenaline, and the third-best win percentage in the league, all teams must take them seriously.
Melbourne’s original team, the Ice, and a newly-deep Newcastle North Stars are both undefeated so far this season, but under them there are six places wide open. The Mustangs, though, are chiselling out a foothold in third.
All AIHL teams should take heed – underestimate these kids at your own peril!
mojo
Guest
Ahh I expect a massive crash and burn for the Mustangs.. I agree with Hmmm here with regards to the fact that they have played more games. I think we just need to observe these guys and just see how thing are later in the season. And see how they go up against the North Stars.. Do we think that the win against the Ice was a fluke/dumb luck or did they play consistently? (I didn't get to see the game) Obviously as an Ice Supporter the Ice will always be my number 1 team here in Melbourne. Not sure if I like the attitude that's attached to this so-called "rivalry"...
Lovesicehockey
Guest
They did alright on the weekend, beating the 2010 champs Melbourne Ice. And they did this with only 1 out of their 3 imports while the Ice used all 5. Good on the young Victorian boys. No matter where they place, they have put up a great fight and are playing competitive hockey that is most definately at an AIHL standard. GO MUSTANGS
Auspuck
Guest
Hmmm.. the success of this team is based on their goaltending. With the kids in net, they put up these numbers before the two games listed above: G W L MIN G GAA SS SV SV% 30 Mark Howell 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 75 9 5.40 30 21 70.00 1 Fraser Carson 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 45 6 6.00 24 18 75.00 36 Michael James 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 58 8 6.21 34 26 76.47 These are all pretty terrible stats and no winning is sustainable with a goalie putting up these number. Fraser only stopped 12 of 15 in the win on the Saturday and Michael James wasn't much better in the Sunday game. A top four finish in still very unlikely in my opinion.
Hmmm...
Guest
I think it's a bit early to say they are chiseling out a spot in 3rd place when they have played 2-3 times as many games as those below them on the table, they are only at .500 which still leaves a bit to prove in my eyes. I'm not saying they don't have the potential to be a playoff team, but it's too early to be saying these things when they have played the most games (along with Newcastle) which give them more of a boost up the table