Selected photos from the AIHL game between long-time rivals, Adelaide Adrenaline and Sydney Ice Dogs playing on 22/06/2019 at the Ice Arena, Adelaide. Adrenaline would miss import defenceman Alex Gauthier out for one week suspension as they faced the in-form Crowder brothers, two of the imports from the Ice Dogs. Joining the import lineup would be goalie Garrett Bartus and Dylan Quaille. This game was expected to be a tad lopsided with the Ice Dogs in the top 4 and Adrenaline last, but the home team had other ideas as they fought back the barrage of drives up the ice. The Ice Dogs found themselves in penalty trouble twice (Paul Crowder for tripping and brother Tim Crowder for interference) but the Adrenaline could not find a way past the penalty kill unit. But they eventually did well after the penalties were over at 6:20 when Kiwi import Ben Gavoille scored, assisted by import Kyle Neuber and captain Joey Rezek. However the joy was short-lived when the Ice Dogs responded with Paul Crowder scoring with assists from Quaille and Tim Crowder. At 4:36 the hope of keeping the score level went for the Adrenaline as the Ice Dogs Alec Stephenson fired a rocket past Adrenaline goalie Jesse Gordichuk. The assists coming from Tim Crowder and brother Paul. A late penalty to Marcel McGuinness for tripping didn’t result in another score to the Ice Dogs, neither a cross check penalty to Ice Dogs Stephenson. Shots on goal were Ice Dogs 18, Adrenaline 10.
The Adrenaline could be pleased to be staying with the Ice Dogs, and the game tightened up as both goalies made magnificent saves and the defences stood firm. Both teams played a good, fair brand of ice hockey and at the period end the score remained at 2-1, in favour of the Ice Dogs. Would the Adrenaline last against this quality outfit, and possibly even cause an upset to record their first win? Shots on goal for the period was Ice Dogs 11, Adrenaline 10.
The long last period was ripe for an epic encounter. An early penalty to Adrenaline’s Ales Kratoska for slashing put the pressure on the home team. Then when import Jamie Holland was pinged for interference at 12:26 this gave the Ice Dogs a sniff and they broke out to a 2 goal lead to make it so much more difficult for the Adrenaline. Stephenson scored at 12:09 with assists from Tim Crowder and Quaille. A further penalty to Kratoska for tripping at 11:23 only added to the woes. Forced to pull goalie Gordichuk in the dying part of the period, the Adrenaline could only watch as Paul Crowder added to his tally with an empty-netter after assists from Quaille and captain Tomas Manco. The Ice Dogs had piled on shot after shot on goal but Adrenaline goalie Gordichuk had withstood the barrage. Final score 4-1. The Adrenaline could hold their heads high after such an emphatic battle with a top team. Shots on goal for the game were Ice Dogs 51 (22 in the last period) to Adrenaline 28 (8 in the last period).
