Melbourne, Vic – A first period left the Thunder exposed and a late rally wasn’t enough to tame the Mustangs.
In a weekend that could be classed as a ‘must-win’ for both teams, the Mustangs were able to produce often and early in the game to open up a gap the Thunder were unable to close.
Scoring three times in the opening term, the Mustangs relied on local stars Brendan McDowell (29) and Jamie Bourke (18) to do all the work up front, while their blue line was able to stymie the Thunder’s potent offense. The lone Thunder goal came on a powerplay opportunity from defender Joe Tolles (27), with an assist from Michael Forney (7), halfway through the period.
Both teams played a strong brand of 5-on-5 hockey, with only 8 minor penalties being called all game – a low total in today’s AIHL.
Matt Strueby (20) and Tolles would both tally goals in the second period, but were unable to close the gap as the Mustangs offence continued to roll, scoring three goals in the space of two minutes. The Mustangs showed nice depth in their lines, with five different goal-scorers in the game.
The second period closed with the score line 6-3 in the Mustangs favour. The Thunder would require a big push at both ends of the ice if they were going to regain any ground in the third and final period
It would be Thunder’s newest acquisition that would shine in the 3rd period. Kevin Darcy (28), having only arrived in Perth on Wednesday, would score an early period goal while on the powerplay. With over 15 minutes left in the period, the score was 4-6 and the Thunder were coming in waves.
Mustangs goaltender Jon Olthus (30) made some key saves and was able to shut the door for most of the period. The final goal would be Thunder’s, as Darcy scored again on the powerplay with 1:37 remaining in the game.
In the closing minute of the period, the Mustangs were able to control play in their own zone and minimize the impact of the Thunder offense. A hard fought win for the home team.
The Thunder have again shown that ‘the best defense is a good offense’ is not always the smartest way to win a hockey game. The Thunder blue line is arguably the best it has been this season, yet allowing 6 goals in two periods of hockey is a concern that neither the players, or the fans will be taking lightly.
Thunder is going to need a better effort by goalie Michael Smart in the second game in order to split the weekend.
GAME STATS
Shots on Goal: 51 (Thunder) – 23 (Mustangs)
Goal Scorers (Thunder): Tolles 2 (27), Darcy 2 (28), Strueby (20).
Goal Scorers (Mustangs): Brendan McDowell 2 (29), Jamie Bourke (18), Vadim Virjassov (71), Alex Hall (77), Robin Forsyth (21).
Perth Thunder plays the second of back-to-back games against the Mustangs today (June 2) at 1:30PM WST.