Home Opener Is Here

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With the laying of a new ice surface at the Ice ArenA this past week, the most tumultuous off-season in club history is now just that, history, and the moment everyone has been waiting for is finally here.

There has been a buzz about town regarding the team, a certain air of excitement that despite all the club has gone through the past few months, hockey is back in Adelaide for 2016.

This weekend, The Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport play their opening two home games of the 2016 AIHL season against the Sydney Ice Dogs.

The turmoil of the past few months will be forgotten the minute the team steps out on to the ice in front of what is shaping up to be a sell-out crowd.
With two games now under the belt, the Adrenaline are ready to show the home fans just why there is such an air of optimism around the club this year.

Adrenaline Captain Greg Oddy says his side is looking forward to the weekend and building upon last weekend’s showing in Melbourne.
“All the boys were pretty excited to get back on the ice this week. It's been a tough couple months obviously with no ice but that's all behind us now and we are ready to go this Saturday. Last weekend was a tough test first up. I thought we came out strong and really took it to Melbourne on the Saturday,” Oddy said.
 
Despite not registering a win, the Adrenaline were highly competitive against the last year’s runners up, the Melbourne Ice.
 
However, last weekend’s results are firmly in the rear view mirror and attention has turned to this weekend’s games against a reinvigorated Ice Dogs outfit.

Coming off a torrid 2015 campaign, in which the side registered only one win in 28 games and were docked points for failing to meet travelling roster requirements, the Ice Dogs have started the season much stronger already, registering two wins on the year.

Sure to be a focal point around the contest is the return of former Adrenaline goalie, Charlie Smart.

Smart, who joined the Adrenaline at beginning of the 2015 AIHL season spent only one season in Adelaide before jumping ship to the Ice Dogs.

The return of Smart will be sure to add extra meaning to the contest for Adelaide’s number one goalie, Peter King.

After playing second fiddle to Smart last season, King is now determined to cement the number one spot as is own and did himself no harm with a terrific 44-save performance last Saturday in Melbourne.

“It’s always good to go against team-mates, and have a healthy rivalry with them, so it will be good to see how it goes this weekend,” King said.

Whilst out-duking his former colleague will be a measuring stick for King, Adrenaline Captain Greg Oddy insists his team’s focus will be solely on getting the two wins.

“We aren’t worried what other teams have. We have Peter King in net and we are confident he, along with the rest of our group can get the job done,” Oddy said.

Adrenaline fans right across the hockey community will be hoping Oddy’s words ring true and the home side can put on a show for what will no doubt be a vocal and packed crowd at the Ice ArenA this weekend.

The first game begins 4.30PM Saturday, with ticket collection available for all season members and multi-game pass holders from 3PM in the foyer of the Ice ArenA, Game two begins 4PM on Sunday.