NEWS

Import Announcement: Shaun Dosanjh
Elder Strikes Twice, Freeman the Hero in Home Opener for the Ages
Preview: Bears vs. Adrenaline
Adrenaline Tests Mettle Against Alumni in Fulfilling Pre-season Clash
Few Embody Adelaide Hockey More Than Zach Boyle

LADDER

Team	GP	PTS
Norths..	5	14
Lightn..	7	11
Adrena..	4	4
Brave	7	3
Rhinos	5	1

LEADERS

Josh
Adkins

Player	Points
K Elder	6
N Benson	3
J Freeman	1
J Friederich	1

GAMES

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Regular Season Game
Saturday May. 4 at 5:00 PM

Macquarie Ice Rink, Sydney

Regular Season Game
Saturday Apr. 27

Perth Ice Arena, Perth

1-0 Loss

BOXSCORE

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JUNE 17, 2023

Post-Game Recap: Matus Trnka shuts the door as Adrenaline notch home win

Amanda Marasigan

Matus Trnka records his first shutout as a rookie in the Australian Ice Hockey League, backstopping a dominant effort for the Adrenaline’s first home win since July 2018.

The 19-year-old goaltender worked hard in net all night, in what may be one of the youngest shutouts in AIHL history.

Adelaide Adrenaline had to reset after their 2-9-0-1 record for the start of the 2023 AIHL season.

Adelaide currently sits 9^th on the league ladder with seven points in the last 12 games, still hopeful to qualify for playoffs in August.

To secure a playoff spot, Adelaide needs to string together a strong number of wins out of the 14 games they have left in the season, mostly games within their conference.

According to head coach Stu Henly, Adelaide needs to work on defensive zone coverage and decrease the penalty minutes the team takes, keeping the team off the penalty kill.

Adelaide had a strong start in both games against the Central Coast Rhinos last weekend however, they fell short, suffering an overtime loss on Sunday after giving up 5 unanswered.

The Brisbane Lightning sits above the Adelaide Adrenaline in the Rurak Conference ladder, ahead by 13 points with their 6-7-1-0 record and two games in hand. They are Adelaide’s main competitor for a playoff spot.

Brisbane has been on a losing streak, having lost their last four games to Newcastle Northstars, CBR Brave, and Melbourne Ice.

The two teams went head-to-head in early May and Adelaide lost both games during the weekend.

Adelaide struggled to stay out of the penalty box last time they met, leading to numerous powerplay goals scored by Brisbane.

Starting in net was Matus Trnka for Adelaide and veteran Steve Harris for Brisbane.

Trnka was ready in roll and faced some dangerous shots early.

Right from the puck drop, Adelaide’s defence was tested. Brisbane out with a strong push. Notably testing import Coy Prevost playing his first game in defence for the Adrenaline

Adelaide started strong in the first period, getting pucks deep into the offensive zone and kept the pressure high.

They earned their opportunity for a one-man advantage when Kasey Kulczycki committed a hooking penalty.

They have been working on outworking the opposition and utilising space a successful powerplay.

And it worked – Brett Radford scores Adelaide’s first goal of the game at 15:01 with a top corner snipe, the pass coming from fellow imports Coy Prevost and Brett Thompson. 1-0 Adrenaline.

Adelaide showed their improved special teams down the other end at 12:09 when they skated on a penalty kill - Daniel O’Handley facing two minutes for delay of game.

Trnka faced several shots during the penalty kill but Adelaide backed him up with some smart plays to clear the zone, making sure they don’t make blind passes from behind the net or rim it around the boards.

At 4:34, Coy Prevost got the puck past Harris but a late offside was called, therefore no goal.

More scoring opportunities came Adelaide’s way, but no one was ready in front of the net.

On the last 1:44 of the first period, Zach Steele received a holding penalty.

Adelaide skated one-man down on the remaining 1:44 of the first period, Daniel O’Handley notably doing some good work on the PK.

Adelaide left the first period 1-0, having ten shots on goal while Trnka faced eight.

Adelaide was strong on the 1-on-1 battles in the corner as directed by Stu Henly and utilised their defence effectively during offensive zone time.

Brisbane almost scored shorthanded after a penalty from Kulczycki again, but Trnka was quick to shut the gates.

At 16:22, Zach Boyle was sent to the penalty box for a tripping call, but Adelaide made sure clear the zone quickly, getting the puck down the ice

Back to full strength, Noah Maley redirected a pass from Zach Steele and Connor Vermeulen in front of the net to tip it in five-hole. 2-0 Adrenaline

17-year-old Julian Friederich stood out with his tall stature, winning several battles for the puck against the boards.

A loose puck in front of Brisbane’s net had Harris scrambling with Adelaide almost getting another goal, but the traffic was too thick.

Zach Steele – known for his physicality – laid hit after hit on the Brisbane skaters.

Matus Trnka kept Adelaide with the two-goal lead, and Brisbane yet to score.

Adelaide entered the third period positively with the 2-0 lead, focusing on playing more defensively all game to shut down Brisbane’s advances.

Adelaide killed off a 5-on-3 with Vermeulen and Handberg sitting in the box early in the third period.

With 9:20 left in the game, Steve Best gets Adelaide’s third goal, the assist going to Chen and Friederich, going bar down to make it 3-0 and record his first of the season.

Adelaide looked almost effortless in the third, reading the plays well. They worked as a team to reject Brisbane’s attack, from front to back.

Adelaide’s 3-0 lead had Brisbane call for a time-out. Hoping to get back into the game, they pulled Harris out of the net for an extra player.

However, this went in favour for Adelaide as Brett Thompson closes the score sheet with an empty net goal and his 4^th goal in as many games.

It was a successful night for Matus Trnka as he ended the 60-minute game with his first AIHL shutout.

The Adelaide Adrenaline is looking to take all the points this weekend against the Brisbane Lightning, facing them on Sunday for the second game of the double-header.

Post-Game Recap: Matus Trnka shuts the door as Adrenaline notch home win

Post-Game Recap: Matus Trnka shuts the door as Adrenaline notch home win

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