Adrenaline survive Ice Dogs' bite back

---

The Hards Transport Adelaide Adrenaline built up a big lead and then held on for dear life in a dramatic 5-4 road victory over the Sydney Ice Dogs on Saturday evening.

Steve Best was in fine from has he had two goals, an assist and three points total.

It was a crucial three points for the Adrenaline who begin their climb to the finals. Steve Best's shorthanded goal put the Adrenaline up 5-1 early in the third period and it appeared the visitors would cruise to victory.

However, the Ice Dogs' play intensified as they peppered Adrenaline Pete King with shots in the last five minutes of the game. They scored three goals in a two minute window and all of a sudden Adelaide the game was in the balance. 

Thankfully, thanks to a few clutch blocked shots and a couple key saves from King, Adelaide got out with the three points. 
It turns out Adelaide's biggest weapon was being down a man. The Adrenaline scored three short handed goals in the victory. 

Wehebe Darge had two goals in the win pushing his season total to 15. Best had two goals, Greg Oddy had a goal and Cole MacMillan had three assists.

The win was not without cost, however. Adelaide, who was travelling with just 15 skaters, lost TJ Battani to a match penalty at the beginning of the second period. 

RECAP 

Things got off to a decent start for the Adrenaline despite what the scoreboard suggested in the early stages. The Adrenaline had a barrage of early shots on former Adelaide goalie Charlie Smart but couldn't quite find the hole to the back of the net.

Ice Dogs' scrappy forward David Dunwoodie opened the scoring for the home side mid-way through the first calling on an immediate Adrenaline response. 

But the Adrenaline used a swarm of power play opportunites to level the score. Greg Oddy was the one that capitalised with his fourth goal of the season to get Adelaide on the scoreboard.

Moments later, while shorthanded, Wehebe Darge punished the Ice Dogs by beating Charlie Smart to give the Adrenaline the lead. The shorthanded goal was Darge's 14th goal of the season and gave Adelaide a 2-1 advantage heading into the first intermission. 

The second period featured rough stuff between both teams. Amidst another flurry of penalties for both teams, Sydney import defenseman Paul Swindlehurst and Adrenaline import TJ Battani got in a scuffle. Both players were assessed match penalties. 

Adelaide proved to be the better side throughout the second frame. While controlling the play on the power play, David Huxley sent a booming shot from the point that was tipped in by Steve Best to put Adelaide up 3-1.

The whistle was the referee's best friend as players from both squads continually were shown the door to the penalty box. There were close to 10 penalties called in the second period alone. 

With three minutes to go in the second, Adelaide had a 5-on-3 PP but couldn't bury any chances. 

It's funny how hockey works though. 

Even though Adelaide couldn't score with a two man advantage, the second the Adrenaline went shorthanded Wehebe Darge scooped up the puck and buried a goal on a breakaway to give Adelaide a 4-1 lead heading into the break.

The special teams play only got better in the third period. After taking an early penalty, Cole MacMillan sent Steve Best in on a break and Adelaide added to their lead making it 5-1 with the team's third short handed goal of the game. 

The game seemed done and dusted as Adelaide was cruising to victory. However, with just over five minutes to play, the Ice Dogs decided to bite back.

Two goals in thirty seconds from Petr Stepanek and Jarrod Smith but the Ice Dogs within striking distance down 5-3. 

The Dogs continued to press and Adelaide goalie Pete King continued to take away chances. But with a little over a minute to go Ice Dogs import Grant Toulmin cut the lead to just one goal.

Don't worry - Adelaide can sigh breath of relief as they held the score for the last 60 seconds. 

Adelaide 5 - Sydney 4. Final score. 

Adelaide will travel down the road to Penrith to take on the Sydney Bears for the second leg of this weekend road trip. 

The game will be streamed on Mixlr from 4:30 Adelaide time.