Sydney Bears travel to Melbourne on June 25/26 to play Melbourne Ice (Saturday) and Melbourne Mustangs (Sunday) at O'Brien Group Arena.
Bears/Mustangs on Sunday will be the first time that the two teams have met in 2016. Mustangs have played 14 games (4-9-1-0, 14 points) while the Bears have played 12 games (1-5-4-2, 13 points). Last weekend, Mustangs traveled to Canberra and lost both games against CBR Brave (5-2 Saturday, 4-1 Sunday). With only one game and at home this weekend, Mustangs should be fresh. Meanwhile, Bears play Melbourne Ice the day before this game. With last weekend's shootout win against the Newcastle North Stars & other results going their way, the Bears have lept into 6th place on the AIHL ladder. While there is still only 1 win in regulation, the Bears have been in 6 shootouts in 12 games prior to the Melbourne weekend, winning 4. A 6 point weekend in Melbourne against both Melbourne teams will be of massive benefit to the Bears, jumping from 13 points to 19 points. With 50% of Bears games this season going to a shootout, simliar in playing style and the two teams being close on the ladder, don't be surprised if there is another shootout to conclude this game.
The teams meet again at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday July 9 and return to Melbourne the following Saturday (July 16).
ATC Productions Live Stream (video)Story: Eric Brook
Photo: Rev William Stewart