Adrenaline Put on Ice in Opening Weekend

The Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport, ran out of gas in their second game of the weekend falling 6-2 to the Melbourne Ice on Sunday afternoon.

The score was no where close to representative of the play. The Adrenaline outshot the Ice 39 to 29 but failed to convert on their best scoring chances. 

This was never going to be an easy opening weekend for the Adrenaline. considering the team has not skated on a proper ice surface in nearly three months.

Against the runner's up from last season the weekend finished with a 5-4 shootout loss in a game they never once trailed and then losing 6-2 in a game where the score was not indicative of the play.

"I thought our first period [on Sunday] was actually the best of the weekend. We dominated the shots but we just couldn't convert any of our chances. It was definitely frustrating but there are a lot of good signs from the team," Walsh said.

Matt Armstrong scored two first period goals for the Ice as the home side hit the scoreboard early despite only having 9 shots in the opening frame.

The second period was more of the same, as the Ice converted on the limited opportunities they created.

When the second period was all said and done, Melbourne piled on three more goals including one off an alleged high stick. Joey Rezek scored a goal to cut the lead to 5-1 after two periods. 

"They just took advantage of all their chances and we didn't," Walsh said. 

The Adrenaline and Ice skated with each other well in an end-to-end third period but once again Ice goalie, Troy Davenport was solid, ending the game with a fantastic 37 save performance.

Adelaide added a 'feel good' goal late in the third period. Gabe O'Connor wired in a shot from the point to make it just a three goal game. 

However, just seconds later the Ice added the sixth and final goal of the game. 

6-2 Melbourne Ice. Final.

Despite the losses, Adrenaline General Mickey Sutherland is optimistic for the sides hopes.

"We're going to be a really good team. Give us a week or two of practice on the big ice and we'll be fine. I think we showed that we can skate with the best of them and we lost to a very good team. We will be there in the end," Sutherland said.

Now that the ice hockey season is finally here, Adrenaline fans are all encouraged to purchase tickets to our home opening weekend on May 14 and 15. The Adrenaline play the Sydney Ice Dogs who will be starting former Adelaide goalie Charlie Smart.

Tickets are at 75% capacity already for Saturday's game. You can purchase tickets at www.trybooking.com/LCOZ