Game Preview: Adelaide Adrenaline vs. Sydney Bears April 22

If you missed the details from last game, read the recap here to get up to date: https://bit.ly/3UHvpIG

The Adelaide Adrenaline return for their home opener after a frustrating 6-2 loss to Perth on the road. Avoiding an early season slump in a light opening fortnight schedule will be a key part of building momentum into the heart of the season. Irregardless of the Adelaide win in the PHL last year, the team will be looking to get the monkey off the back with the Adrenaline franchise’s first win since 2018. 

The Sydney Bears go on the road for the first time of the season after a successful 6-3 win against the Ice Dogs in the Battle of Sydney last week. They come into this year after missing a spot in the Goodall Cup finals by an inch last season, falling to Newcastle in overtime. They were also the champions in 2019 before the COVID break. A highly skilled team with some young talent and veteran presence alike, it’s hard to imagine that they won’t be competing for the cup again this year.

Adrenaline quick facts:

• Despite the loss, The Adrenaline racked up 51 shots against Perth, the chances were there.
• 6’4” Canadian import Andrew Hamilton had a two goal night, taking the lone pair for the Adrenaline.
• Unlike a number of AIHL clubs, the Adrenaline have no players away and have all their current imports present.
• The team has a plethora of hot sticks yet to get on the board, keep an eye on young players such as Nathaniel Benson, Daniel Chen, and Darcy Walsh look to get their seasons rolling.

• Import recruit Ace Cowans starred with a four-point night in the opening round win.
• Anthony Kimlin, regarded as Australia's top goalie, is with the national team. That means the Bears will turn to either "local" import Dane Brumm or young gun Justin Harrison. The Bears play a back-to-back this weekend, with a home game vs Sydney on Sunday. They'll likely split duties between the pair.
• Keep an eye on Kenshin Hayashi. The former Australian U-20 national team captain was a point-per-game player in his rookie season and put up a pair in the 6-3 opening game win.
• 18-year AIHL veteran Adrian Esposito returns to Adelaide for the first time since suiting up for the Adelaide Xtreme during the 2021-22 NHSL season. He won a championship and was coached by now-Adrenaline coach Stu Henly.

The Bears scored six goals in their Round 1 win over the Ice Dogs. The combination of import Ace Cowans, Kenshin Hayashi and Tommy Steven were on the ice for all of them. 

2. Fix the not so Special Teams

To say the Adrenaline power play and penalty kill was a disaster vs Perth would be putting in lightly. The Thunder were 2-for-3 in their extra man opportunities. 

The Adrenaline were 0-for-6 on their power play chances. To rub salt in the wound, the Thunder scored two shorthanded goals including a 5-on-3 advantage.

If you live in an alternate world where the Adrenaline simply go a "poor" 1-for-6 on the PP, but don't allow a SHG...and hold the Thunder to just one powerplay goal...we're talking about a 3-3 game and a scoreline that isn't as dramatic as the 6-2 script that unfolded Saturday.

3. Trust the locals

The Bears are missing three players to national team duties (Tim Newmark, Anthony Kimlin and Thomas Landa). Ace Cowans is their only import they've flown in from overseas. 

This feels very much like a local vs local battle. The Adrenaline need to trust that their DNA of their 2022 PHL Championship roster is still there. Cut out the sloppy stuff and this local unit can skate with any other local unit which is what this game is shaping up to be.

Adrenaline players to watch:

Andrew Hamilton: No doubt the player on the forefront of Adrenaline fans minds, the 6'4" Canadian import showed he can get it done with the lone-standing 2 goals this season. Scraping 6'5" on skates, the forward has an explosive release on his shot, if this guy can get the puck in the slot regularly, it is going to give opposing teams a lot of trouble. At 32 years of age, hopefully he brings some valuable veteran presence into the heart of the season.

Nathaniel Benson: The Adelaide grown sensation has taken it to the next level in the few years. Leading the Adelaide Avalanche in points last year, and finding a knack for racking up assists, with one already on the board, the 22-year-old will be looking to stamp his card back into the AIHL. He has extensive experience playing on a line with captain Joey MacDougall, and is a strong leader for the other younger players on the team, with coach Stu Henly complimenting his "strong work ethic" and "championship pedigree." On top of this, he has spent his summer in Finland honing his craft.

Darcy Walsh: A high value import signing from Ontario, Canada, the 24-year-old centre has a wealth of high level hockey experience. A proven goal scorer, he put up 56 goals across two championship seasons in the CCHL, not to mention his captaincy for the second season. How quickly the Adrenaline can get rolling will depend on how quickly their forwards can start getting it to the back of the net, with Darcy being in the spotlight.

Jake Hazel: The 20-year-old stay-at-home defenceman will play a key role in tightening up the Adrenaline's back end. We say you should watch him, because you probably won't notice him otherwise. That's a good thing. Australian team defenceman Jamie Woodman described him as "steady defensively, a young guy with a lot of potential."

Bears players to watch:

Ryan Annesley: Members of the Bears coaching staff have said: "He is the Bears." And with good reason. Annesley has been with Sydney since 2015-16 and helped take them from cellar dwellars to Goodall Cup Champions. Primarily a defenseman, he's played forward before. He's also the assistant coach of the team and key in the team's recruitment and standard of coaching. Annesley is not yet a permanent resident but is expecting it "any day"

Kenny Hayashi: The former Australian Under-20 National Team Captain has returned from a stint in North American in fine form. In 2022, he was a point-per-game player with sixteen points in as many games. This season he's been rewarded by playing on the top line with Ace Cowans and Tommy Steven. He didn't disappoint, putting up a multi-point effort in Game 1.

Dane Brumm: With Anthony Kimlin away with the national team, the Bears will likely turn to the Canadian netminder. Brumm moved her on a working holiday visa and has spent some time with the Bears. He figures to be their back-up when Kimlin is out of the line-up and will use an import slot while the Bears await their next two mid-season recruits.

Ace Cowans: The Bears may be waiting for two high-end imports to arrive but the one they have is pretty darn good. A four point game in Round 1 for the University of Vermont alumni really helped get the party started.

The grandstand is sold out, but there are still some tickets remaining for the game, grab one here: https://bit.ly/3KJavnD