Adrenaline show promise in Ice loss

The Adelaide Adrenaline showed courage against the defending champions, Melbourne Ice, but it was the away side who claimed the points in a hardfought 4-2 loss for the Adrenaline.

Just two weeks after losing 8-0 to the Ice in Melbourne it was strong turnaround by the Adrenaline who challenged all game in an entertaining clash.

Ales Kratoska claimed both goals as he moved to nine points for the season while Caleb Apperson had two assists.

Early miscommunication and some sloppy skating had Adelaide playing second fiddle to the Ice, although with Joey Rezek back in the squad their best was more than enough to compete with a champion team.

Postgame, Rezek said he was proud of how well the team bounced back after the season opener to be far more competitive.

“It was good to come back, I didn’t land too long ago and still feel a bit jetlagged,” Rezek said.

“We played very well and I think Melbourne Ice had five or six players back from the national team but we played a very organised game. We were stopping them in the neutral zone and I think we can play with anyone in the league.”

Adelaide’s first clear chance came via Remy McGuiness with the young gun setting up Apperson, his shot just swinging away from goal. Minutes later Apperson had another chance, although his stick snapped on impact with the one-timer.

Unfortunately Apperson saw a promising start crumble when he gave up possession in the middle, allowing Nate Fleming to dash forward and pass to Dylan Anderson who weaved a goal past Sebastian Andersson at 5.38.

Just when the Adrenaline looked like crumbling, Kratoska’s third goal of the season restored hope after Rezek’s off-balance pass found Adelaide’s leading point scorer.

Without clear space to shoot straight away, Kratoska moved into the corner before bouncing back to beat Michael James in goal.

There was more composure in the second as the dream-team of Rezek and Kratoska continued to dazzle while imports Alex Adams and Caleb Apperson regularly involved.

With some symmetry, Melbourne scored their second at 5.38 in the second period, with Matt Armstrong powering a goal past Andersson into the top corner.

A late powerplay provided a timely boost when Nate Fleming was sent to the box for an ugly knee-to-knee trip on Adams, although the Adrenaline couldn’t take advantage.

An even start to the third saw a slower pace to the game but once the first few testing shots were taken, the intensity increased.

Steve Best ripped a poster on a breakaway with less than 13 minutes remaining while Adelaide was in luck when Fleming’s shot whizzed high over the goal at 11.30.

Less than a minute later Sami Mantere couldn’t keep a bobbling puck down as he aimed for the top corner.

It was goals galore soon after as Melbourne as Fleming scored into the top corner, but just 13 seconds later Kratoska made it 3-2, scoring a rebound off James to bring the Adrenaline back to life after Apperson and Best broke down Melbourne's defenders.

End-to-end action during a Melbourne powerplay saw Mantere lay another pair of shots while the Ice were clearly looking to increase their lead.

While Adelaide had a late powerplay to end the game, they couldn’t breakthrough for the tying goal and despite going to a 6-on-4 play, Dillon Lawrence tucked away an empty netter with just over a minute left to seal the win.

Having challenged the Ice all game, Rezek is confident the Adrenaline will pick up more wins - and break a streak of 13 losses against the Ice - soon enough.

“I believe we can challenge anyone in  the league. The boys beat the Mustangs and the Ice Dogs, who should be a very strong team this year,” he said.

“We just have to make less mistakes than the other team. Nothing much will change for us [tomorrow]. We made a few mistakes which we will learn from.”

The Adrenaline and Ice face off on Sunday with puck drop at 4.30PM. Tickets are available at www.adelaideadrenaline.com.au.