After completing a physical set of back-to-back series against the Bellingham Blazers, the Mustangs host the Seattle Totems in Ogden for the first time since 2015-16. After dropping the opening game in their last matchup in January, the Mustangs have been red-hot en route to winning 11 consecutive games.
Game Notes are compiled by the Ogden Mustangs broadcasting and media Director, Steffen Bell. Catch the Mustangs live during the games via Black Dog Hockey.
Mustangs this Season
The Mustangs come into the weekend with a record of 38-3-1-1. They are currently tied for 1st in the WSHL with 117 points. This series against Seattle is the second of three-consecutive series at home before the start of the Northwest Division playoffs in mid-March. Ogden currently has the longest active winning streak in the league (11 games, Jan. 10th @ Seattle). The Mustangs have surpassed their previous all-time record (306) for goals scored during the regular season and now have 308. are averaging 7.16 goals-per-game (1st) while also surrendering just 1.51 goals per game (1st).
Mustangs Historically
2019 is the ninth season of Mustangs hockey. Head Coach Jake Laime is in his eighth season. The Mustangs won division championships in 2014, 2015, 2018, and last season in 2019. Total points earned and team winning percentage increased each of the first six seasons. For the past seven seasons, the Mustangs have been considered in the top tier of teams in the WSHL, with deep runs in the playoffs each season, but are still looking for their first league title. The Mustangs have established themselves as the top producer of NCAA commitments in the WSHL. They had nine players commit from last season’s roster and have had 40+ overall, including Matus Spodniak’s NCAA DI commitment to American International College.
Totems this Season
The Totems come into the weekend with a record of 18-18-3-0. Seattle has won back-to-back games against Southern Oregon after suffering a five-game losing streak. After trailing 3-0 to the Mustangs, they completed a comeback with a game-tying goal with 11 seconds left in the third period before winning in OT. They are currently 3rd in Northwest division. Seattle also captured a 5-2 victory against Southern Oregon in an outdoor game on Jan. 19th.
Totems Historically
2019-20 is the seventh season of Seattle Totems hockey in the WSHL. Before joining the WSHL, they competed in the NPHL and originally called the Kent Crusaders. The team would be sold and renamed after the former local pro team, the Seattle Totems. They are currently coached by Mike Murphy. The Totems are coming off their best season since joining the WSHL, going 34-14-1-2. They would lose to the Bellingham Blazers in the division finals.
All-time Series
Now in the eighth season of matchups, Friday will be the 19th all-time meeting between the Mustangs and the Seattle Totems franchise. The Mustangs lead the all-time series 12-3-0-3. The Mustangs and Totems battled to three consecutive shootouts in their first-ever series in 2012. Ogden would win the first and Seattle the following two games. Every game was decided by the score of 3-2. The January meeting was the first meeting since the 2015-16 season where the Mustangs swept the series.
Players to Watch
For the Totems, Cameron Waisman leads the way with 28 goals and 15 assists on the season. Daniel and Albin Modin are next up with 34 and 32 points, respectively. Daniel Modin is second on the Totems with 18 goals, while Albin Modin leads in assists with 23. Bryson Rody and Adam Lindarv both have well over 100 PIM this season. Lindarv is also the top scorer on defense with 16 points on the season. Their #1 goaltender is Rustam Kulizade. He is currently 7-11-0 this season with a .915 Save % and a 2.50 GAA. The Totems roster is essentially split in half between American (12) and International players (15).
For the Mustangs, Shane Gilbert and Bryson Bartell lead this potent attack while being 3rd and 6th in the WSHL scoring leaderboards. Gilbert now has 83 points while Bartell has 78. Lukas Vacin is 1st on the team in goals with 37. Zach Pires has quietly put together a six-game scoring Gilbert and Hayden Masterson are the only two players to appear in every game this season for the Mustangs (43). The Mustangs currently feature three college commits (Caleb Dolman, Shane Gilbert and Travis Allen) with plenty more approaching soon. Johan Zöllner paces the defense with 43 points on the season. Christoffer Juvas, Emil Svartbro and David Sudbrink have been dynamite since joining the Mustangs. Juvas now has 42 points in 34 games. Svarbro has 53 points in 33 games. Sudbrink, recently coming off of an 11-game point streak, has 22 points in 16 games. Travis Allen is now 14-3 with a .943 Save %, 1.29 GAA and 3 shutouts on the season.
Team Stats/Statistics/Other Player Notes
Mustangs special teams statistics: Powerplay – 50/191 – 24.9% (2nd) Penalty kill – 162/178 – 91.1% (2nd)
The Mustangs are 2nd in the WSHL with 21 shorthanded goals this season.
Totems special teams statistics: Powerplay – 24/161 – 0.149% (14th) Penalty kill – 159/189 – 84.1% (12th)
WSHL Info
Northwest Division Standings
Ogden Mustangs – 117 points
Utah Outliers – 88 points
Seattle Totems - 60 points
Bellingham Blazers - 40 points
Southern Oregon Spartans – 14 points
West Sound Admirals – 0 points - Defunct
Overall WSHL Standings
Ogden Mustangs – 117 points
El Paso Rhinos – 117 points
Edson Aeros – 96 points
Hinton Timberwolves – 88 points
Utah Outliers – 88 points
Fresno Monsters – 87 points
Las Vegas Thunderbirds – 80 points
Northern Colorado Eagles – 79 points
San Diego Sabres – 75 points
Pueblo Bulls – 74 points
This week and weekend’s Northwest Division matchups
Ogden Mustangs Vs. Bellingham Blazers
Southern Oregon Vs. Utah Outliers
Bellingham Blazers Vs. Valencia Flyers
Keys to the Game
Time of Possession
Ogden is, without question, dangerous in all facets of the game. When they have the puck on their stick and creating different plays is when they are at their scariest. Being able to consistently hammer teams with a forecheck and cycle, like Ogden does, is what often wears the opponent down. Once you start to chase the Mustangs, you’re in for a difficult night.
Control What You Can Control
The Mustangs did everything they could to avoid unnecessary penalties and shoving matches before, during and after the whistle in the previous series. They controlled what they could and played their game. They will look to continue their cerebral approach against Seattle.
Go Mustangs!
#OMHockey | @Ogdenmustangs
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