Walsh calls out Adrenaline's start to 2016

Head coach Trevor Walsh has called out the Adelaide Adrenaline calling the team's play "totally and completely unacceptable" after a poor start to the 2016 AIHL season.

Through eight games the Adrenaline have just two wins and eight points overall.

"There used to be a time in Adelaide when losing an ice hockey game was not an option. It was totally unacceptable," he says. 

Walsh explains that he can accept defeat but only if he sees a maximum effort with his team.

"We're just letting teams beat us. It's embarrassing, " he says. "When you lose there should be bad feelings in the room. But now we are losing games we shouldn't and the care factor isn't where it should be."

"The effort and pain of defeat needs to carry over to the next game. That's the pill I'm finding hardest to swallow."

The Adrenaline opened the season with a 5-4 shootout loss in Melbourne on May 7 vs. the league-leading Ice. They lost on a fluke goal late in the game during their first time on a large ice surface.

That's about the only loss that sits well with Walsh. 

"We knew we would have an uphill battle to play with our [ice situation]," he says. "It's like the guys are using it as a crutch now. That's not a reason we're losing games. Instead of finding answers the guys are finding excuses." 

The Adrenaline followed up their opening weekend losses vs. the Ice with two home wins vs. the Ice Dogs. Walsh even says those games were "disappointing" because the team played to their level. 

Since then, the team has dropped two one goal games vs. Perth and two road games vs. the Mustangs. 

"We have the best Aussie talent in the AIHL. We should be right there at the top but we're not. It comes down to compete level. It's gut check time. It's time to look in the mirror and figure out what team we want to be," he says.

The Adrenaline have two games vs. the Bears this weekend and he expects his team to play a full three periods of hockey and not let up. 

He says if the team is underperforming he will not hesitate to make a change.

"People are paying to come watch us. They are literally taking money out of their own pocket to watch us play," he says.

"I promise you this; only players who have a hunger and drive to play the game will be on the ice. Why would I start a veteran who doesn't seem to care when we can play some young guys who want to be here."

The finals are still well within reach for the Adrenaline. They trail fourth place by 10 points with three games in hand. If the Adrenaline win those games in hand they will be right there in the run.

"We've been saying it's a must-win game. Our media have been writing that it's a must win game. There's only one group of people who can ensure that happens this weekend."