The Melbourne Ice extended their winning streak to five on Saturday night, defeating the Melbourne Mustangs 5-3 in the second Melbourne derby this season.
The win sees the Ice keep a perfect record since their opening day defeat at the hands of the Sydney Ice Dogs and sit top of the Australian Ice hockey League standings.
Melbourne Ice forwards Lliam Webster, Tim Johansson and Austin McKenzie lead the way and were able to put the Mustangs to the sword after pouncing on errors in the opposition’s defensive zone.
While Melbourne Ice forwards filled up the stat sheet, their defensive work has been the catalyst to their early season success, with two shut outs and only seven goals against in their last five matches.
Jaden Pine-Murphy in net for the Melbourne Ice was outstanding across the three periods, making some big saves in the final period as the Mustangs were pushing hard offensively to get back into the game.
It extends Pine-Murphy’s record to 3-0-0 with a .966 SV%, after facing 88 shots on goal and saving 85 across the three games he has been in net for the Melbourne Ice.
“A lot goes out to Johan [Steenberg] and what he has done with being the goalie coach,” said Melbourne Ice head coach Brent Laver.
“Our goals against reads really well and it just comes down to the work that he has done.
“It’s just fantastic, it’s great to have.”
Stopping six Melbourne Mustangs power-play opportunities highlighted Melbourne Ice’s ability to win the 50/50 contest across the blue line and in front of their own net.
Strengthened by the size of Jeff Smith in defence, the Ice were able to use their defensive play and rebound offensively up through the neutral zone.
“The defence has been great and Jeff Smith has been fantastic,” continued Laver.
“He is just a sensational guy to have in the room, he just wants to teach and wants to be part of it.
“His stick work is incredible, he actually hasn’t laid many hits. His stick work is just so good his got so much reach and guys can’t come around him.”
Melbourne Ice’s ability to keep the Mustangs wide along the boards and find open space through the middle of the ice allowed them to generate opportunities throughout the match, making the Ice dangerous at both ends of the rink.
Their ability to turn defence into attack with passing out of their defensive zone will cause trouble for any team in the AIHL this season.
They say that defence wins championships, so far the Melbourne Ice is looking good in that department.
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