GAME 2 PREVIEW: Adrenaline vs. Bears

---

The Adelaide Adrenaline and the Sydney Bears will both be looking to put disappointing performances in their season openers behind them as they do battle this evening at the Penrith Ice Palace.

It is a second game in consecutive days for both teams with the Bears losing 4-2 last night in Canberra against the CBR Brave and Adrenaline last night going down 6-4 to the Newcastle North Stars in the first of two road games to open their season.

Neither team will be panicking so early in the season having faced up energised home sides in their first matches, but rebounding to avoid a 0-2 start will be important for momentum after the first weekend of play.

The Adrenaline can take solace in the fact that outside of a dip in the second period, in which they conceded four goals in the space of three minutes, they played solid hockey and also showed poise in mustering a comeback from a 5-1 deficit to only lose by two goals.

It will be crucial for the Adrenaline’s chances tonight that they avoid such lapses in concentration against what will no doubt be an energetic Sydney Bears outfit looking to put a win on the board in their home opener.

The missing experience of Adrenaline veteran defenceman Josh Harding has undoubtedly hurt the team and the younger defencemen will need to step up in his absence.

Canadian import Tyler Grove showed Adrenaline fans a taste of things to come with a terrific solo effort in the first period of last night’s game to bury his first goal for the Adrenaline.

The exuberant offence of the likes of Grove and local young-gun Zach Boyle will again be critical in securing a victory this evening against a Bears outfit that was out paced in offence and outskated last night against a fast and physical Canberra outfit.

Early energy and lots of puck control will be crucial for the Adrenaline if they are to capitalise on Sydney outfit still trying to learn its system and play style with a roster containing only six players from last season.

Expect the Adrenaline to have a comfortable win provided they are can avoid defensive lapses and huge momentum shifts as occurred last night.
Game starts 5PM Local time (4.30PM Adelaide Time) at the Penrith Ice Palace.

First home game for the Adrenaline, May 10 with tickets available online via the Adrenaline website.