Adrenaline VS Lightning Game Recap Saturday 20th July

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Few seats remained at the Ice ArenA on Saturday afternoon as the Adelaide Adrenaline and Brisbane Lightning went head-to-head both chasing points towards a coveted playoff spot.

The Lightning spent much of the first period backpedalling into their own zone as the Adrenaline were able to steal the puck away and charge their way into a number of scoring opportunities. An early goal from Mitchell Dyck put the Lightning on the board but only fuelled the fire for the Adrenaline. Their starting goalie, Nicholas Novysedlak, made a few glove saves before a rebound shot from Dan O’Handley gave Ryan Foll the perfect opportunity to fire the puck into the back of the net and nab his first goal of the season, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

“The goal felt really good, especially at home,” Foll says. “To be down 1-0 and then to tie the game; it was really nice to hear the crowd up and about then.”

Rylan Toth was soon put to the test as he made one glove save after another but was unable to stop a rebound goal from Bradley Campbell, giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Defenceman Alexander Voronin made his AIHL debut less than 24 hours after arriving in Australia from the Ukraine. He looked at ease as he seamlessly worked together with his new Adrenaline linemates to control the pace of the game.

“He had a great game and he’s only going to get better,” Foll went on to say. “He’s a great he addition and we got him at the right time.”

The Adrenaline quickly doubled their shots on goal as the game took on a more aggressive tone with a number of big hits and penalties being doled out from both sides. As if things at the Ice ArenA weren’t electric enough, a surprise proposal at centre ice during the second intermission got fans on their feet cheering for the newly engaged couple.

Leading 3-1 and heading into the third with a man advantage, the Lightning forced the Adrenaline to go on the defence more than they’d hope for and slashed their scoring chances.

“It was a big game today and everyone was ready to go,” O’Handley says. “Everyone was aware that this was a must win game but we haven’t been scoring the same way we were a few weeks ago.”

With under three minutes to go Toth was pulled to give the Adrenaline an extra body on the ice, but the Lightning managed to score an empty net goal and secured the 4-1 win.

The Adrenaline will get their chance at redemption against the Lightning on Sunday afternoon at the Ice Arena. Puck drop is at 4:15pm with a handful of grandstand tickets still available.

-Joanna Gruenberg