Two goals early in the third period and a final empty net goal with seconds remaining propelled the Melbourne Mustangs to a 5-3 win over the Sydney Ice Dogs in the first of two meetings this weekend.

The Ice Dogs opened scoring with 5:41 remaining in the period at O’Brien Group Arena, when Stephen Johnston scored on a 1 on 2 rush, after a long pass from James Marino. His 6^th goal of the season was assisted by James Marino. Soon after Sydney’s Ilman Lee was sent to the box for interference. Despite some skilful saves by Damien Ketlo and strong defensive work, Melbourne’s Patrick O’Kane was able to find the back of the net on the power play with 3:53 left on the clock. After a big hit by Stephen Johnston on Mitchell Humphries and good chances, Sydney headed to the penalty kill for the second time on the night, when Rory Rawlyk was assessed a hooking minor. The Ice Dogs were able to kill off the penalty and wrapped up the first tied one all.

Stephen Johnston opened up the second period with another close opportunity but couldn’t bury the puck and soon after Dave Dunwoodie had a 1 on 2 opportunity but was stopped at the last second by Mustangs goalie, James Kruger. Stephen Johnston delivered another huge hit 12 minutes in to the period, this time on Vadim Virjassov and Tomas Manco almost made it a 2-1 game with 10:35 remaining, but the puck went off the pipe. Just over a minute later Rory Rawlyk gave the Ice Dogs the lead on his 5^th goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Stephen Johnston and Shannon McGregor. With seven and a half minutes remaining tensions reached a peak when Sydney’s Dave Dunwoodie and Melbourne’s Andrew Belic took each other on in a fight. Both sides were assessed a multitude of penalties which included a 25 minute match penalty and two minute instigator penalty for Dave Dunwoodie. Andrew Belic was given a 20 minute game misconduct and five minute fighting major, meaning that the Dogs headed to the penalty kill for the third time during the game. After another successful penalty kill, Sydney went right back to it a little over two minutes later when Ellesse Carini was assessed a 10 minute misconduct and two minute minor for checking from behind for his play against Melbourne’s Damian Bright. With 3:15 remaining Stephen Johnston headed to the box for cross checking. The Ice Dogs played 5 on 3 hockey for 11 seconds then unfortunately with just 1:59 left on the clock Jamie Bourke scored on the Mustangs power play to tie the game at two at the end of the second.

Two goals less than two minutes between each other gave the Mustangs a 4-2 lead with 17:38 remaining in the final period. Sydney headed to the power play for the first time on the night when Mitchell Humphries was given a roughing minor. Despite some close opportunities, including a penalty shot awarded to Grant Toulmin, the Dogs were unable to capitalise. Sydney was given another power play chance with 10:14 left on the clock but again couldn’t find the back of the net. With 1:35 remaining Grant Toulmin was able to bank the puck off the back of Melbourne’s James Kruger from an impossible angle to cut the Mustangs lead in half. Toulmin’s 14^th goal of the season was assisted by Stephen Johnston. With just 25 seconds left in the game Melbourne scored an empty net goal to secure their win.

Another 3 points are on offer tonight when the Ice Dogs face the Mustangs again.