CANBERRA, ACT – Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd, an undermanned Adelaide Adrenaline have sent a strong message, that they are nowhere near done yet. A tough road trip that left the Knights tarnished and the Ice Dogs licking their wounds, Adrenaline piled on 10 goals for the weekend while conceding only the 3 which included only one at even strength.
Canberra v Adelaide Image courtesy of Timothy Hughes
With not having played since 30th June and 1st July, only two imports dressed, down on numbers through illness and undisclosed reasons you would have been forgiven to think that Adelaide would struggle at best.
Adelaide’s first assignment was Canberra Knights in Canberra on Saturday night, Brett Liscomb scoring in the first 41 seconds of the game set the tone for the visitors. David Manning chipping for his first goal of the season, Captain Greg Oddy with his second period goal and a hat trick from the star of the night Wehebe Darge gave Adelaide a comprehensive 6-2 victory.
Aaron Barton letting just the two goals through from thirty attempts, while Charlie Huber was content to just put a spin on things and making moves that had Canberra dizzy. David Huxley in defense was brilliant, his positioning and poise was the best this season shutting down Canberra’s forwards all night.
Canberra didn’t find the back off the net until deep into the third with an even strength 4 on 4 gaol and then a power play goal with under two minutes to play. Adelaide’s penalty killing was at its best this weekend and only allowing the one Canberra goal from 10 attempts. There were 19 penalties in all but having very little influence on the game.
Statistics would show this was a close contest but it was Adelaide’s uncompromising, brutal display and use of the puck which tore Canberra apart. The mood in the Adrenaline camp did not change in Liverpool on Sunday against the Sydney Ice Dogs.
Melbourne Mustangs Image credited to Tania Chalmers
Aaron Barton got under the home sides skin early and in particular Ice Dogs Matt Monaghan with an altercation in the first which had fur ruffled as he spent some time in the box. As expected there was the usual tension between the conference rivals, but did not spill over as disciplined Adrenaline went about making short work of the Ice Dogs.
This was to be Captain Greg Oddy’s night in his best game for the last season or two and continuing his outstanding form this season. Oddy scoring twice and racking up a weekend total 5 points and was backed up by an impressive Brett Liscomb with 2 goals and 4 points for the weekend.
While Wehebe Darge did not find the back of the net on Sunday he accumulated an outstanding 6 points. Sean Greer stepping up easily in his best game in defense for the season, like David Huxley the night before starved the Ice Dogs of countless opportunities. Adelaide’s defense only allowing 15 shots on goal and the starved Ice Dogs just didn’t have any answers.
Adelaide played the game on their own terms not once compromising what it was they were there to do. They kept the game at a fast pace, the puck moving swiftly never allowing the home side into the game and most importantly against the Ice Dogs won the game in close dominating the boards.
Melbourne Ice v Melbourne Mustangs Image credited to Tania Chalmers
This was easily Adelaide’s most impressive performances over the last two years signalling this club is poised to make a full-blooded tilt at the 2012 championship. But they have another big test this coming weekend 28th and 29th July, in Newcastle against the North Stars and back to Sydney to face an inform Bears.
For now Adelaide hold firmly in second position in the Eastern Conference 12 points clear of the Gold Coast and now drawing level with the Ice Dogs in third place overall.
In other results from around league, Newcastle North Stars make the journey to Perth beating the Thunder 2-0 on Saturday. On Sunday the hot streak comes to an end in Melbourne as the North Stars fall to a resurgent Mustangs outfit 3-5. For the Mustangs this was a massive turnaround in recent form and only 24 hours prior fell 4-1 to their cross town rivals the Melbourne Ice.
The Sydney Bears were looking to continue their recent winning form as they were welcomed into the kennel by their cross town rivals the West Sydney Ice Dogs. The Bears went back into hibernation going down in a tight contest 6-4. On Sunday the hungry Bears returned to the winners list defeating the Canberra Knights 4-2 on home ice at Baulkham Hills. For the Bears this win now puts them 10 points clear in third place from the Knights, who still have only the one regulation win for the season.
The Bears now sit only 9 points behind their rivals the West Sydney Ice Dogs, which could make the run home to the finals intriguing but the Ice Dogs do have a game in hand over the Bears.
Next round on 28th and 29th July, sees the Gold Coast Blue Tongues make the journey down to Canberra (Knights) then Liverpool (Ice Dogs) after a weekend off. Adelaide Adrenaline head back to the east for the second week running, taking on the North Stars in Newcastle and back to Sydney for the Bears.
Perth Thunder make the trip over to Melbourne, where they will surely be warmly welcomed back by the Ice and Mustangs. The Bears also have the chance to square the ledger with the Ice Dogs as the head back to Liverpool on Saturday. The Ice Dogs have a great opportunity to put the Bears charge to rest, with both their weekend games on home ice.
Contact Michael.Rozleja@prohockeynews.com
Follow us at Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.