If Saturday’s exhibition game between the Adelaide Adrenaline and the Adelaide Alumni was a precursor for the season ahead, fans should be extremely excited for what’s in store.
The IceArenA was quite literally packed to the rafters as fans were treated to a high-energy performance from both teams from start to finish. The Adrenaline set the tone early in the game with strong puck possession and putting three goals on the board before the end of the first period.
Squad goalie Jeremy Friederich took the spot in the Alumni net, a coaching decision to expose him to a high volume of shots.
The Alumni were on the defensive for much of the second period, which also saw the first two penalties of the game awarded to the Adrenaline. The Alumni were able to double their shots on goal but stand-in Adrenaline goalie Andrew Glass successfully killed both power plays.
Heading into the third period with the Adrenaline up 4-0, the Alumni turned up the heat with some impressive movement and their first goal of the game, scored by Mitch Villani with an assist by Sean Greer.
The goal was met with a raucous response from the home crowd who were sharing the love for their players of old.
The Adrenaline went on the offensive again by testing Jeremy Friederich, who by the end of the game would have stopped 51 shots on net.
The Alumni certainly played like the intelligent hockey players they are, but in the end they were no match for the young Adrenaline team, with Nathaniel Benson and Josh Adkins earning themselves each a hat trick before the buzzer rang with a 9-1 final score.
There were plenty of smiles exchanged on ice and nods of approval from the Alumni players including defenceman Josh Harding, still the only player in club history to have his number retired.
“It felt really good to be back but I think we’re going to be pretty sore tomorrow!” Harding laughed.
The Adrenaline were able to share some practice time with the Alumni in the days leading up to the exhibition game which Adkins said led to a perfect mix of light hearted fun and competition on the ice.
“There’s a fun aspect to playing the Alumni; they’re great guys and I hope we can see more of them out here.”
Alumni forward and Goodall Cup champion, Dean Peterson, had encouraging words for the Adrenaline's season ahead.
“I think they’re a fast team and can move the puck well. When you’re the underdog, you’ve got more to pull from and it’s a great place to become a stronger, more cohesive team.”
Adrenaline head coach, Stu Henly, echoed this message in front of players, fans, and sponsors who gathered for the jersey presentation at the Joiners Arms Hotel after the game.
“We’re not going to hide from last season, we’re going to use it as a lesson.”
The Adelaide Adrenaline will open their 2024 season at home against the Sydney Bears on Saturday 13 April.
BEARS
ICE DOGS
NORTHSTARS
THUNDER
ADRENALINE
RHINOS
MUSTANGS
BRAVE
ICE
LIGHTNING
