Adrenaline open season with 4:3 win over defending champs

The Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport opened their 2017 season with a 4-3 victory over the defending champions, the Newcastle NorthStars.

Darren Corstens took a starring role wearing the letter "A" for the first time in his career. He scored two Mortgage Choice Malvern goals to help lead the way.

Following a tough 2016, a fresh approach and attitude looks to be working. With new coach Sami Mantere taking the reigns in November, a team focussed preseason, the Adelaide Adrenaline game out all guns blazing. 

With new recruits Casey Babineau and Cameron Critchlow arriving only a few days prior, and Morgan McNeill shortly after, you would have forgiven them for not finding their place on the ice. This wasnt the case, as they settled right into their lines without missing a beat.

Critchlow made his mark early in the game, getting up close and personal with some of the Newcastle players and kept the pressure on the net throughout the first period. Marcel McGuiness and Josef Rezek both had great early opportunities shut down by Newcastle goalie Nick Mizen.

A hooking call sent Shane Southwood from Newcastle to the box, giving the Adrenaline a man advantage. 

The pressure didn't let up, and with just over 3 minutes to go in the first, Critchlow chipped the puck up to Cole MacMillian to register the first Mortgage Choice Malvern goal of the day - Adrenaline 1-0 into the break.

The North Stars continued to show the sell-out Adelaide crowd why they were the champions of the 2016 season with consistent physical play in front of the net, but a Greg Oddy rush fed to Darren Corstens had the reigning champs with a 2 goal deficit. 

A slap shot goal from the blue line put Newcastle on the board, but the Adrenaline responded quickly with a breakaway conversion to Darren Corstens - his second Mortgage Choice Malvern goal of the night. 

Goalie Peter King continued his form in net, none better than a slick glove save with minutes to go in the second to send the Adrenaline to the break holding a 3-1 lead. 

Newcastle opened the third period in rapid fashion, scoring 12 seconds in.

The pressure was on, but again Adelaide responded, Marcel McGuiness scoring his first for the season proper, off the back of four Mortgage Choice Malvern goals in last weeks’ exhibition match - a sign of great things to come for the 17 year old.

An interference call on Oddy sent the Adrenaline on a penalty kill, Newcastle made the most of the powerplay to keep things interesting, and set up a nail-biting final few minutes.. 

With two miniutes to go, Newcastle pulled goalie Nick Mizen for the extra attacker. Adelaide soaked up the pressure in their zone, Pete King fending off repeated assaults on his net.

At the final siren, Adelaide closed their home opener with a 4-3 win. Peter King making 33 saves to be awarded man of the match.

The Adelaide Adrenaline will now travel to Melbourne next weekend, taking on the Ice in what promises to be another tough assignment. 

The Adrenaline will then return home to the IceArenA on May 6 and 7, hosting the Sydney Ice Dogs. We are hoping to see another sell out crowd, and tickets are on sale now at www.tickets.adelaideadrenaline.com