Some of the photos from the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) game between the Adelaide Adrenaline and Sydney Bears played on 05/02/2026 at the Ice Arena, Adelaide, South Australia. These two teams have a lot of history, being two of original 3 teams that formed the AIHL in 2000. Unfortunately the Adrenaline lost their valuable Danish import Rasmus Simonsen to injury for the entire season but were able to secure the services of Russian player Viacheslav Sarkisyants who had experience in the Armenian league. Captain Joey Macdougall was also out, so the Adrenaline had to rely on many younger players. The Adrenaline were desperate for some home wins to stay in touch as they currently were at the bottom of the AIHL ladder. In goals for the Adrenaline would be Cale Dolan, and for the Bears, Anthony Kimlin, with local Adelaide goaltender Riley Knapp as their reserve goaltender. Of note for the Bears was 42 year old Adrian Esposito bringing a wealth of experience along with Tomas Landa. Imports for the Bears included Richard Crowe, the firey Alexandre Gauthier (ex-Adrenaline, ex Central Coast Rhinos), Lucas Herrmann and Brian Chambers.
The 1st period started with a bang for the Adrenaline as only a minute and a half in, Daniel O’Handley put them on the board (assists Julian Friederich, Darcy Flanagan). This was followed up at the 15:15 mark when Friederich would score off a Daniel O’Handley assist returning the favour, and Austin Pickford the other assist. However the home teams and crowd’s joy would be short-lived by the end of the period as Bears Lucas Herrmann would score 2 goals to even the score. There were no penalties. Shots on goal for the period: 13 to Adrenaline and 10 to the Bears.
Halfway through the 2nd period Tomas Landa would put the Bears up by a goal, scoring shorthanded, and unassisted. Logan Brodie would put the Bears further ahead at 6:07 (assists Landa and Finn Withey). Late in the period the team’s rivalry ignited with many roughing penalties handed out late in the period (at 2:15 Bears Alexander Wardlaw and Adrenaline’s Austin Pickford, followed by more penalties with a roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct going to Bears Alexandre Gauthier, and roughing to Adrenaline’s Nathaniel Benson and a roughing after the whistle penalty to Adrenaline’s Darcy Flanagan. Shots on goal for the period: 12 a piece.
The third period saw plenty more penalties handed out: Adrenaline’s Austin Pickford (elbowing) and Jake Riley (holding), and Bears Alexander Wardlaw (holding), Alexandre Gauthier picking up 2 more (roughing and misconduct), and Louis Olive on buzzer (hooking). The Adrenaline were struggling to get past the Bears defence and were forced to send goaltender Cale Dolan to the bench for the extra attacker. Unfortunately time was not on their side as Julian Friederich scored his second goal for the night, but with only 3 seconds remaining in the game. Shots on goal for the period: 8 a piece.
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