Adrenaline lose big to Mustangs

Another rough stretch of hockey cost the Adrenaline as the Melbourne Mustangs got the better of the South Aussies 9-5.

It was always going to be tough for the Adrenaline when the Mustangs scored two short handed goals at the end of the first / beginning of the second to allow Melbourne to pull away.

The Adrenaline dropped their second straight as they fall to two wins and five losses on the season.

It was a slow start from the get go for the Adrenaline who were playing their second game in as many dates and states.

The Mustangs used early sustained pressure to beat Pete King from the left of the net to open the scoring just two minutes into the game.

The Adrenaline had a couple good shifts in them yet. Star import Cam Critchlow buried his 8th of the season in tight to even up the game and breathe new life into the game.

But that was shortlived. Just 30 seconds after the equaliser the Mustangs buried on a 2 on 1.

The Mustangs extended their lead on an ensuing power play when Australian Jamie Bourke slapped one home from the slot.

Down 3-1 Adelaide thought they had renewed life as the Mustangs took a double minor.

However the Mustangs slotted home two short handed goals. One was a break away off an errant Rezek pass before the end of the first. The other was on a two on one at the beginning of the second just moments after Critchlow hit the post.

Jamie Bourke made it 6-1 when Jamie Bourke sniped one over King's shoulder mid way through the second. 

Adelaide seized momentum back when Greg Oddy scored on a breakaway. It was the former captain's 594th point.

Then Sean Greer sent a laser to the back of the twine from the right side point.

Adelaide kept pushing and creating chances. Cole MacMillan pulled off a fancy dangle with 17 seconds left in the second in the second to make it a 6-4 hockey game.

But this is a cruel, cruel game and in an incredible twist Pat O'Kane went top corner in a gaping cage with just three seconds left in the period to seize back the energy.

A wild second ended 7-4 in favour of the mustangs.

Adelaide struggled to regain their mid second period  form in the the third. Melbourne controlled most of the play and were eventually rewarded for their efforts.

Brendan McDowell buried a goal on a fourth chance effortin front of the net to make it 8-4. Adelaide failed to clear traffic in front of the the net which allowed McDowell to put the nail in the coffin.

Adelaide got one back on the power play when a Sean Greer point shot found its way through a sea of traffic in front of the net past the goalie.

The Adrenaline failed to pick up any points on a difficult Sydney / Melbourne road trip. They have to do it all again next weekend when they travel to Macquarie to play the Bears on Saturday and the Mustangs again on Sunday.

Adelaide is next at the IceArenA on May 27 for a date with the reigning premiers. Tickets available at www.tickets.adelaideadrenaline.com.