Preview: Bears v Mustangs

Sydney Bears start their final weekend of the season with a home game against Melbourne Mustangs at Penrith ice Palace on Saturday 20 August. It is the Bears' second last game of the season.

Both teams are now unable to make the AIHL Finals the following weekend. Mustangs are currently in 5th position and Bears are 6th. Both teams can not move from those positions with 2 games to play. Mustangs have 35 points (11-14-1-0) while Bears have 25 points (4-14-5-3). Interestingly, both teams have had 14 regulation time losses. Bears have been in 8 shootouts compared to Mustangs 1.

Last weekend, Bears traveled to Perth for two games against Perth Thunder. In two games dominated by goaltending and defence, Bears lost both games and only scored 1 goal over 2 games. Saturday's game saw Bears lose 2-0 while Sunday's 2-1 loss was in the balance until the last 43 seconds of the game. 

In Melbourne last weekend, Mustangs had their final 2 games at home. They lost 4-1 to Melbourne Ice on Thursday night before rebounding to win 10-7 in a goal fest against Sydney Ice Dogs. 

The two teams have met three times in 2016 with these meetings in a 3 week period. The two Melbourne games saw the Bears holding leads in both games. In June's meeting, Mustangs came from behind and won 4-2 as the Bears bled penalty minutes towards the end of the game. July saw the Bears keep their net dry for 49.48 minutes and a 3-1 win. This game on July 16 was the last Bears win.

The previous meeting at Penrith Ice Palace on July 9 was an exciting game with a close 4-3 win in Mustangs' favour. Recent games at Penrith Ice Palace have been physical, high scoring affairs. 

The following day Bears remain at Penrith Ice Palace to play Adelaide Adrenaline while Mustangs travel to Newcastle to play Newcastle North Stars.

Bears Live audio stream will commence at 4.30pm with puck drop at 5pm.

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: Injected Ideas Photography