Slow start to third period costs Adrenaline vs Ice

A 2:35 stretch to open the third period has left the Agile Group Adelaide Adrenaline wondering "What If?".

The Adrenaline fell for the second time is as many days, this time 6-5 to the Melbourne Ice. 

Adelaide was the better team for most of the day, surging out to a 2-0 lead after one and holding a 3-2 lead after two. But a forgettable three minutes was costly. 

A quick blink and Adelaide was behind 5-3.

Quick goals to Jesse Schwartz, Alex McKenzie and Jack Carpenter surged the Ice in front in the third in what felt like an onslaught that couldn't be stopped. 

It all started with Schwartz busting down the left wing and beating import goalie Jesse Gordichuk short side. Then it spiralled.

“It’s different when you’re chasing a game and defending a lead,” said head coach Jim Fuyarchuck. “Those three minutes killed is. It was ours to lose.”

It was déjà vu all over again. The young Adrenaline faultered in the first period in Saturday’s game vs the Mustang. They allowed four goals in ten minutes and lost 6-2.

"It's a shame because if you take out a three minute stretch on Sunday, and a five or six minute stretch in the first period on Saturday, we would have come away with two wins," said Fuyarchuk.

Despite the loss, the Adrenaline have plenty of positives to build on. 

Even though they went down 6-3 at one stage in the third, they battled back. Goals to Josef Rezek and Steve Best in the dying seconds set up a frantic final minute. But Adelaide couldn’t get a shot on.

6-5 final.

The game started with promise. Josef Rezek banked one off the cross bar and in to start the game. Moments later, Ales Kratoska fed a streaking Harley Anderson who tapped it in at the side of an open net.

Solid defensive work in front of goalie Jesse Gordichuk and Adelaide had a 2-0 lead. It was one of their better periods in a while.

The Ice systematically grinded away in the second period and tied the game up at 2 late in the frame.

However, a rocket shot from the point form Alex Gauthier put Adelaide back up 3-2 heading to the final break.

Then it all came undone. 

Across the weekend, Adelaide has plenty of nice things to build on. Jake Riley looks like he's taken a big jump forward, registering three points on the weekend.

Aussie Joe Rezek is carrying the local offensive load. He had two points in each of the games. Jesse Gordichuk made key saves in net. Young defenseman Andrew Chen and Marcel McGuiness also showed flashes that will leave Adrenaline fans optimistic about the future of the blue line.

But unfortunately moral victories don't count in the standings. The Adrenaline have a tough task in their next games. They have their home opener April 27 and 28 vs. the CBR Brave.

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