The Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport, went down valiantly against the first-place Melbourne Ice, in a what was a thrilling but tough 2-0 loss.

It was close all game and both teams had to play their absolute best with Josef Rezek, Matt Murphy and Casey Babineau amongst the best for the Adrenaline.

After a scoreless first period, the Ice led 1-0 for most of the game when they capitalised on a power play in the second, and Captain David Huxley had mixed emotions about the defeat.

“There’s conflicted feelings; we skated with them and I think it was more that our finish was not there,” he said.

“We had our chances, maybe four or five really good scoring opportunities and we just didn’t put the puck in the net. The one goal they got was a screen and Murphy couldn’t get it so it’s unfortunate but hard because when you play well it’s hard to be angry but at the end of the day you’ve lost.”

In the scoreless opening period, Melbourne forced goalie Matt Murphy into two quality saves inside 20 seconds, and their offensive burst set the tone for the opening stages.

Kristoffer Backman was easily the most dangerous player to start as the Ice controlled play but a Adelaide turned the tide when they earned the first power play.

However, despite Ales Kratoska’s intensity with the puck it was a scoreless start - a stark contrast to the goal fest of Saturday.

Defensively it was an impressive performance with Huxley leading the way in his 251st game, a milestone which saw him move into second spot in Adelaide’s all-time appearance list.

“The biggest difference between when we play well and play poorly is our compete level,” he said.

“Today everyone was competing and no one was content with losing battles and no one was looking to someone else to do their job.”

The second period saw Adelaide bring the fight and instantly put the pressure on Melbourne. Rezek was particularly damaging as he broke through Melbourne’s lines three times, only to be denied by goalie Dayne Davies at the death each time.

When Cam Critchlow was sent to the box for rough contact near Adelaide’s goal, the game’s complexion changed as the Ice scored nine seconds into the power play.

The goal was set up by Backman who found Niklas Dahlberg in space, with the latter firing the puck into the net for a lead with 12:25 on the clock.

From there it was an arm wrestle as Kratoska and Rezek tormented Melbourne, while Casey Babineau was provider and stopper in a brilliant performance which saw him make key passes and crucial stops all game.

As the game neared the dying stages Adelaide was running out of chances and even their best could not beat Davies.

Needing a tying goal, the Adrenaline put six on as Murphy moved to the bench, and unfortunately Melbourne pounced through Matt Armstrong and Joey Hughes with the latter scoring on a 2-on-1 play with 56 seconds left.

The defeat leaves the Adrenaline in a tough position at the bottom end of the ladder, however Huxley is still positive they can rebound ahead of a roadtrip to Newcastle and Sydney.

“Hopefully we’ll continue to compete,” he said.

“It’s always different when you’re on the road but if the guys can harness this feeling of disappointment and turn it around in our next game we’ll be in good form.”

Photo: Frank Kutsche - Sticks & Stones Photography