Game Preview - Adelaide Adrenaline @ Perth Thunder April 15

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Game Preview - Adelaide Adrenaline @ Perth Thunder April 15
The Adelaide Adrenaline head west to take on the Perth Thunder for the opening round of the Australian Ice Hockey League season.

Adelaide Adrenaline
The Adrenaline return to the league in a unique position. Adrenaline didn’t play in the AIHL last season, but a very familiar team of players won the Pacific Hockey League championship. In 2022 the Avalanche (PHL) were known as the fittest team in the league. This culture has carried into the Adrenaline with the same strength and conditioning coach, Sean Baker from PEAQ Conditioning, leading the teams off ice program.
The Adrenaline began their on-ice pre-season on February 13 and have been on the ice together twice a week ever since. If you have watched teams that Adrenaline Head Coach Stu Henly has been part of in the past, expect to see high pressure on the puck carrier and a strong focus on executing the penalty kill. Adrenaline will look to make things tough for the Perth and not allow any easy pucks.

Perth Thunder
It’s been 1,329 days since Perth Thunder last played in the Australian Ice Hockey League. It was the 2019 Championship game where they went down 5-2 to the Sydney Bears. While they may be lining up with a different roster four years later, they are back this year and hoping to go one better.
Perth will skate with some notable omissions for the opening game of the year. Jamie Woodman, Lyndon Lodge, Kieran Webster, Rob Haselhurst and Andrew Cox (NZ) are all currently on National Team duties and won’t be available. The Adrenaline shouldn’t take this lightly though, Thunder have always had roster depth and this year isn’t expected to be any different. While Thunder captain Jamie Woodman might be away, he’s had plenty of experience skating with many of the Adelaide players in the PHL and would have been sure to pass on any inside knowledge before he left.
 
Goaltending
The Adrenaline have opted to back in the local tandem of Jeremy Friederich and Matus Trnka for 2023. It’s unclear who will get the start but if you ask Adrenaline goalie coach Michael Mclean, they’re both ready to go.
With Andrew Cox being unavailable, Perth will look to their new import goaltender to make an immediate impact. Canadian goaltender Tristan Côté-Cazenave is expected to get the start in the season opener.

Imports
Adrenaline have recruited Canadian forwards Darcy Walsh and Andrew Hamilton to join Adelaide local Canadian imports Jordan Freeman and captain Joey Macdougall. Taiwanese Defenseman Kevin Yu will also suit up as the club’s Asian import.
Perth will rely heavily on their imports with their local omissions. American centre Connor Jean will be one to watch. Jean has played junior hockey with Calar Makar and had stints in the East Coast Hockey League and the Southern Professional Hockey League. Canadian Anthony Gagnan and Ville Tenosalmi from Finland will complete the Thunders import forwards.

Local To Watch
Adelaide: Nathaniel Benson
With 27 points in 18 games in the PHL last season, Nathaniel has proven he can match it with some of the best in Australia. At 22 years old he’s a guy that will continue to get better and Adrenaline fans should be excited to see him continue to improve in 2023.
Perth: Jordan Kyros
The 31-year-old forward has played over 200 AIHL games and is a proven point scorer. He has the most AIHL games played of any player in the line up this week and the team will look to him for leadership.

Streaming
Unfortunately due to factors beyond the control of the Adelaide Adrenaline, the game will not be streamed on AIHL.TV
Follow @adladrenaline for game updates. The game will also be scored live via adrenaline.theaihl.com