Adrenaline fall in Harding's 250th

No joy for Adrenaline in Hardings’ 250^th

The Hards Transport Adelaide Adrenaline started with a bang in Joshua Harding’s 250^th, and final, Australian Ice Hockey League game but they could not hold on as the Newcastle North Stars earned a 2-1 win at the Ice ArenA.

An aggressive start for the Adrenaline saw them capitalise on an unsuspecting Newcastle with the game’s opening Mortgage Choice Malvern goal via Josef Rezek, his fourth of the season, while TJ Battani had the assist, his eighth.

The Adrenaline maintained the pressure throughout the first period and Harding was especially busy repelling Newcastle threats.

There was frustration from the North Stars and Coach Andrew Petrie demanded more from his team after the first period.

“It’s unacceptable to be flown around the country to play a game you love and give anything less than one hundred percent,” Petrie said.

“Adelaide challenged us to remember as defending champions we need to set the tempo. We have a habit of letting the opposition to set the tempo and then just do enough to compete but that’s just not acceptable.”

Petrie’s words sparked Newcastle as Connor McLaughlin scored the equaliser in the second period, and he could have had more goals if another shot had not rattled the post. Adelaide struggled to keep up with the North Stars in the second and most of the period saw them defending deep by their goal.

Darren Corstens and Wehebe Darge looked to kick start many of Adelaide’s offensive bursts with flashy skating but too often the Adrenaline were let down by an extra pass or shut down by Newcastle.

With the crowd hoping for a win in Harding’s 250^th, they urged Adelaide forward as the game entered the dying minutes but it was the North Stars who found the breakthrough goal.

Despite the hard work of Peter King in goal a late goal line scuffle saw Josh Harris smack in the winner. Harding nearly made it a day to remember with a shot on goal which would have sent the crowd to their feet, but Davis once again pulled off a quality save.

Darge nearly had the equaliser with a net-rattling shot which was just wide and despite going all-out with a six-man attack and no King in goal, the Adrenaline could not find the goal they needed.

Harding, the ninth AIHL player to reach 250 games, was disappointed by the result in what will be his last AIHL game.

“It’s always best to get to those milestone games but unfortunately not the result we wanted,” Harding said.

“It seems to be that one goal here or there that’s costing us.”

The decision to retire was not easy for Harding but he feels the time is right.

"I basically came here with the decision that today would be my last game for the Adrenaline and after 14 years I decided it was time for someone else to take over,” he said.

“I’m going to miss coming to the rink three or four times a week and seeing your mates. That’s one of the main reasons anyone plays because you’re playing alongside your mates; that comradery is what brought me back.”

For Newcastle, Petrie praises their final period control ahead of a confident finish to the season.

“I thought we had the bulk of possession and set the pace and tempo and we had Adelaide struggling with their zone exit,” Petrie said.

“We have five home games in a row and then I think we’re done so that’s good for us with home ice and final change so we’re looking to secure our spot.”

The loss, Adelaide’s eighth in a row at home, means they need to win their final 10 if there is any chance of playing finals, an unlikely prospect at this stage.

The Adrenaline are away to Canberra next weekend before returning home on July 30 to take on the Melbourne Mustangs.