Preview: Mustangs ride into Adelaide for crucial test

This weekend the Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport, return home for a crucial double header vs. the Melbourne Mustangs. Games are on Saturday and Sunday at the Ice Arena at 4:30PM (Tickets: www.trybooking.com/pftr). 

This weekend's games are important for a variety of reasons. Picking up six points this weekend would set Adelaide up for a second half run at the playoffs in an effort to end a five year drought.

ith two wins and six points in the bank, the Adrenaline will:
- be guaranteed a spot in the top four at their halfway point of the season
- create much needed breathing room between themselves and the Mustangs
- Pass their regulation win total from a 28 game season last year
- Equal their number of points 

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK

Saturday was a day to forget and Sunday was one to remember.

Adelaide was totally overwhelmed after a tough day of travel. They allowed five first period goals and could not recover losing 8-3 to the mighty CBR Brave.

But after Saturday's mishap, the Adrenaline played their most memorable game of the last couple seasons on Sunday evening. 

Adelaide took out an 8-5 win which was significant for many reasons. They handed the Brave the first regulation home loss this season and only their sixth in three years. Matt Murphy, Adelaide's prized import goalie, stopped 62 pucks and survived a barrage of 45 shots in the final period. New import Ales Kratoska had two goals and two assists and Adelaide beat the first place Brave by using a bench of 13 skaters thanks to a slew of injuries.

The win was perhaps most significant for Zach Boyle. The 21-year-old defenseman played the 2016 season with the Brave and was not offered a contract by CBR this year. He scored two goals and added an assist in the win. He was a total menace in his first game at forward and now adds another dimension to the Adrenaline. 

(Above: Zach Boyle was fantastic vs. his former club in a breakout game for the young South Aussie) 

The Mustangs split games last weekend. They lost 6-3 in Newcastle and then won 6-4 vs. the Sydney Bears. They are coming in hot having won three of their last four games. Wins on the road would swing some truly positive momentum in their direction.

WHY THIS WEEKEND IS IMPORTANT

This is the closest the Australian Ice Hockey League has ever been. Canberra, Perth and Melbourne Ice appear to have a leg up on the other five teams which leaves a dog fight for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Ask anyone on the Adrenaline and they'll tell you they feel poised to get there for the first time in five seasons. Adelaide face the Mustangs in two critical games. If Adelaide lose both they are in a serious bind and are left chasing points. If Adelaide win both games they make it extremely difficult for the Mustangs to catch Adelaide on the ladder. It's all starting to take shape. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Adelaide will likely roll out import goalie Matt Murphy. He joined the club at the beginning of May and has stolen the Adrenaline a couple games. 

But which imports will be in the lineup? Cam Critchlow is doubtful and still nursing a lower body injury. Cole MacMillan hurt his shoulder last game. Luckily Adelaide has a string of solid imports including Ales Kratoska who has 10 points in 4 games. 

After seeing the impacts of an import goalie in Adelaide, the Mustangs added an import goalie two weeks ago. James Kruger has started two games and the Mustangs have won one and lost one.

On Adelaide's side they showed a lot of grit, heart and determination. In a small ice Adelaide will try to take the body and be as physical as they can against a Mustangs squad that is used to a bigger surface.

Adelaide also welcomes new addition James Keane who signed a contract this week after not playing the last three years. He brings 203 games of AIHL experience to the fold. 

(Image: James Keane makes his return to the AIHL this weekend)

Meanwhile, Adelaide's young guns are riding high on confidence. 17-year-old Jake Riley scored his first career AIHL goal last weekend and 21-year-old swing man Zach Boyle had three points in his last game.

HOW THEY FARED LAST TIME

On May 14 the Adelaide Adrenaline lost 9-5 on the road. They fell behind 6-1 in the middle of the second and were totally outplayed. Some call it a turning point in the season because since then Adelaide are 2-1-1-1 and have 9 points in their last five.

On May 21 the Adrenaline played a great game. In Ales Kratoska's debut, Adelaide dominated the Mustangs in Melbourne on their way to a convincing 7-3 win. 

Greg Oddy four points and "Aussie Joe" Rezek recorded a hat-trick. 

With two lopsided victories will there be some common ground? 

(Above: Josef Rezek had a hattrick the last time the Adrenaline played the Mustangs)

THREE KEY NUMBERS

1. 10 - Number of points import Ales Kratoska has in four games. 

2. .935 - Matt Murphy's AIHL-leading save percentage. That means that for every 100 pucks that goes his way, he'll stop 93 of them.

3. 5 - The number of regulation wins for the Adrenaline in 2016. Two wins this weekend can push the Adrenaline to six in half the number of games.

We hope to see everyone out there supporting the Adrenaline. If you don't have your tickets yet you can grab them at www.tickets.adelaideadrenaline.com.