PREVIEW: Adelaide vs. Newcastle

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The Adelaide Adrenaline, presented by the IceArenA, return from a bye weekend looking to build on two promising games last skate out.

While they narrowly fell twice to the defending champion Melbourne Ice there was lots to be proud of. Now they need that to carry over vs. the Newcastle Northstars.

Emotions will be running high as the Adrenaline celebrate the career of legendary forward Greg Oddy on Saturday at 4:30PM. Greg announced his retirement on Monday and is considered the greatest AIHL player ever. 

Tickets are still available and discounted online. Purchase them at www.bit.ly/adrenalinetickets.

Newcastle started off slow by dropping their first three games on the seasons. However, they've rebounded in a big way. They beat the Ice Dogs in a shootout and last weekend beat both the Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Mustangs in regulation on the road. They're feeling confident.

The Northstars have used a balanced attack to win their last three games. They spread their scoring out between two solid lines. Where they can be caught is their goaltending and defense. They've allowed the most goals in the league. 

Newcastle recruited big over the off-season by picking players from opposing AIHL teams. They added imports Joe Harcharick, Tomas Landa and Nick Rivait (Sydney Bears) as well as local defenseman Rob Haselhurst (Perth Thunder). Dayne Davis, who played with the Melbourne Ice last year, returns between the pipes after one year away from the club.

It's a different look for the Northstars who won the championship in 2015 and 2016 but missed the finals in 2017. They're a strong, big-hitting, plucky team who has shown they can win in the clutch. Last week Haselhurst scored a goal with 0.5 seconds left in regulation to beat the Melbourne Ice.

Adelaide, meanwhile, is looking to come up with a big effort. They'll be without Harley Anderson this weekend so the depth will be tested. Sami Mantere is also out for the weekend with a lower body injury.

It just means it's a great chance for the younger kids to step up. Can they get it done? We'll find out!

Here are some key stats, and rosters, below.

Adrenaline Top 5 Point Scorers
Ales Kratoska (6 games) - 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points
Alex Adams (4 games) - 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points
Caleb Apperson (6 games) - 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points
Steve Best (6 games) - 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points
Harley Anderson (6 games) - 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points. 

Newcastle Top 5 Point Scorers 

Tomas Landa (6 games) - 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points
Nick Rivait (6 games) - 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points
Joe Harcharick (6 games) - 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points
Zane Jones (5 games) - 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points
Rob Haselhurt (4 games) - 1 goal, 3 assists, 5 points

POWER PLAY (% and Rank)
Newcastle - 15.8% (7th)
Adelaide - 20.8% (3rd)

PENALTY KILL(% and Rank)
Newcastle - 81.3% (5th)
Adelaide - 90.8% (1st)

RECORD VS NEWCASTLE (2017)
April 22 - Adelaide 4, Newcastle 3
May 27 - Newcastle 3, Adelaide 2 (SO)
June 24 - Newcastle 5, Adelaide 4 (SO)
July 17 - Newcastle 7, Adelaide 4

ROSTER

 

GOALIES

#1 Jeremy Friederich - Jason and Tania Geyer - Won MVP at pre-season tournament.
#30 Glen Forbes White - Jason and Tania Geyer -  Stopped 14 shots in the third period of Sunday's game vs. Ice Dogs in relief of Anderson. 
#35 Sebastian Andersson - Blind Dimensions - Gives Adelaide a chance to win every game. Stopped 40+ pucks on two occasions this season.  

 

DEFENSE

#4 Corey Stringer - Melissa De Zwart - One of the most stable defenders on the blue line. 
#6 Zach Boyle - Tad Transformers - Named All Star Game Captain this week. 
#20 Jordan Geyer - Matt Barrie Home Improvements - Had increased minutes to shoulder the load of some injuries. Always getting better. 
#21 Alex Adams - Dr. John Chen - Eight points in his first four games for one of the most exciting players in the league. 
#37 Caleb Apperson - Dr. John Chen - Dominant on both ends of the rink. Great command and control with the puck. 
#49 Jamie Holland - Adelaide Tigers - Diverse player who can play both forward and defense. 

FORWARDS

#3 Brad Chenoweth - Morsetal Powder Coaters - Rookie for the Adrenaline. Had impressive AJIHL career with Adelaide Generals. 
#7 Ryan Foll - Ben Gregor Construction - Had a couple great opportunities last weekend. Knocking on the door of a goal. 
#9 Andrew Stapleton - Robert Rogerson - Returning from injury this weekend. 
#13 Nathaniel Benson - Kalo Lolomanaia and Mitch Brown - Rookie who got first point Round 1. 
#14 Remy McGuiness - Victory! - Played a hard-nosed gritty game last week. Valuable penalty kill minutes eaten up. 
#15 Tyler Leeming - Adelaide Bite - Dominant Forward in IHSA competition with Adelaide Red Wings. Let's see if he can translate to top level. 
#18 Dylan Pope - LOOKING FOR SPONSOR  - Like a bulldog on the wing. 
#19 Josef Rezek - Croudace Constructs - Returned to line up last weekend and had three points. New captain. 
#33 Quenton Tombleson - All Seasons Yard Services  - From Adelaide Falcons, 33-year-old rookie. 
#47 Ales Kratoska - Tad Transformers - Leads Adrenaline in scoring. 
#73 Steve Best - Manoel Carpentry  - Tied his career high in points last weekend with six.