Pau-erful Finish! Adrenaline comeback sinks Dogs!

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The Adelaide Adrenaline scored four straight third period goals to storm back from a 3-1 deficet to earn their first points of the season vs. the Sydney Bears.

The Adrenaline, who were missing key players such as star defenseman Josh Harding and key import Jonathan Boxill, summoned a last gasp burst of energy and earned their first win of the 2015 AIHL campaign.

The best part? It was a total team effort. Italian import Nicola Pau scored two goals, both in the third, while Darren Corstens, Tyler Grove and Remy McGuiness rounded out the scoring.

Charlie Smart was solid down the stretch, making many key saves to earn his first ever AIHL win. The 19 year old was making just his first start in the top level of Australian hockey.

The Adrenaline put together a much more complete effort than they did in their 6-4 loss on Saturday, but still got off to a slow start. 

After the teams exchanged a couple penalties each with no result in the opening period, Richard Tesarik and Kyle Turner found themselves behind the Adrenaline defense all alone on a 2-on-0. Tesarik gobbled up a feed from Turner and the Bears were up 1-0 after one. 

The Adrenaline looked strong in the second period - a big difference from Saturday. After controling the puck, pace and play for the opening minutes, Adrenaline captain Greg Oddy set up Tyler Grove who launched his third goal of the young season to the back of the net.

The tie didn't last long. The Adrenaline took a late penalty and just seconds in to the man advantage Joseph Harcharik slipped one by Charlie Smart to put the home team up 2-1.

Then, moments after that, Bears captain Michael Schlamp padded the Bears lead and made it 3-1 heading in to the final 20.

The undermanned Adrenaline squad showed their determination in the third - a regular theme of the weekend. 

Down two goals with 20 minutes to play, the Adrenaline showed no quit. 

After failing to capitalise on an early powerplay, Nicola Pau finished off a nice sequence set up by Greg Oddy and Tyler Grove to cut the lead in half. 

The Adrenaline kept the pressure up but still trailed with seven minutes to play. Then, while on a powerplay, the Bears picked up a loose puck, had a chance shorthanded it but rattled it off the post.

That changed momentum instantly. Defenseman Andrew White gobbled up the rebound and sent Darren Corstens in for the equaliser.

30 seconds later, the Italian struck again. Nicola Pau buried the go-ahead goal.

With the Bears frantically looking for an equaliser, Charlie Smart stood tall in goal. It allowed youngster Remy McGuiness to seal the deal for the Adrenaline, pocketing his first of the season.

The Adrenaline continue their AIHL campaign next weekend when they travel to Canberra to take on the CBR Brave (Saturday) before travelling back to Penrith to take on the Bears in a rematch.

Adelaide opens their home schedule May 9 at home vs. the Sydney Bears. Tickets available on arenaline.theaihl.com.