Smart's Revenge

originally published on theAIHL.com.au

The Adelaide Adrenaline defeated the Perth Thunder 4-1 on Sunday, reversing Saturday’s result to join the Western Australian’s on top of the AIHL ladder.
 
After starting the weekend on even points, the teams completed the weekend once again locked on equal points on the AIHL ladder.
 
Thunder goaltender Mark Guggenberger and Adrenaline net minder Charlie Smart both imposed themselves on the game early in the first period with some big saves at opposite ends.
 
Both teams came out firing with fast pace, slick passing and strong offensive pressure.
 
Following a strong following on Saturday, the Thunder were again first to the punch with Jordie Kyros slotting a power play goal at the midway point in the first period for his second goal of the weekend.
 
However, after that point, the remainder of the period all went the Adrenaline’s way.
 
Adrenaline veteran defenceman David Huxley soon found a way past Guggenburger with a booming slap shot.
 
Although the Thunder had several scoring chances late in the first, Charlie Smart was back to his best, conceding only one goal on 41 shots throughout the match.
 
With the clock winding down, the Adrenaline’s speed came into play with Darren Corstens and Wehebe Darge putting the visitors 3-1 up with two goals in 16 seconds with just over a minute remaining in the first period.
 
A typical arm-wrestle developed in the second period as the physicality increased.
 
In a scoreless second frame, fans were treated to high intensity, fast-paced action with end-to-end hockey throughout.
 
The physical nature of the game continued into the third with both sides playing desperate, skilful hockey.
 
One of the more interesting features was the goalie battle with both Smart and Guggenberger putting on a masterclass.
 
It took one final counter-attack for the Adrenaline to seal the score on a breakaway opportunity from Tyler Grove with 30 seconds remaining. 
 
Thunder assistant coach Chris Kostopoulos said that more discipline was needed from the Perth team as he felt it was a game that could have gone either way.
 
“I think we needed to be a bit tougher in our own end,” Kostopoulos said. “I thought we outplayed them for a lot of the game. At the end of the day, I still think we’re a good team, so it was just one of those games. We got a few unlucky bounces and a few penalties against us which didn’t help.”
 
Kostopoulos also added his praise for import goalie Mark Guggenberger whose record with the Thunder stands at two wins and two losses so far.
 
“He’s awesome,” Kostopoulos said. “The boys have a lot of confidence, knowing they have a good goalie to back them up. More importantly, he’s a great team player and has really fitted into the side well.” 
 
The Adrenaline’s stand-in coach Neil Boyle was happy with his side’s performance on the road but commented that there were too many penalties from his side.
 
“I think we need to stay out of the penalty box a bit more,” Boyle said. “We retaliated where we didn’t have to at times.”
 
Boyle commented that his side’s strong penalty kill was again a key factor in the result.
 
“Our penalty kill has always been good in our games this season,” Boyle said. “Penalties are what hurt us on Saturday, but not tonight. We kept our cool and came out with the win.”
 
The Thunder now turn their attention to next weekend’s road trip where they will face the Newcastle North Stars on Saturday and the Sydney Bears on Sunday. The Adrenaline has the weekend off.