Two shootout saves from Sebastian Andersson set-up Ales Kratoska for the winning goal as the Adelaide Adrenaline claimed a 6-5 win over Newcastle at the Ice Arena.

Pre-game players and fans farewelled Greg Oddy with those at the arena were hoping the retirement of the AIHL’s greatest would inspire the Adrenaline - although with a far less tense win.

For 2018 recruit Corey Stringer, after seeing Adelaide struggle last season the depth of the roster this season is already showing positive signs with the likes of Sami Mantere and Harley Anderson absent.

“I feel like the depth is definitely there and the team gets along really well and is gelling well,” he said.

“Everyone’s out there to play for each other and that’s a really good feeling.”

As an even start slipped away and Newcastle took control, the Northstars opened the scoring at 6.07 as Patrick Nadin scored a powerplay goal with just 14 seconds left on their advantage.

When Caleb Apperson and Hamish Powell came to blows after Apperson denied the latter a potential goal, 4-on-4 hockey helped see out the first period, paving the way for a Kratoska masterpiece.

With nine seconds left on the penalties it was Kratoska who sparked a breakaway with a dashing counterattack down the left wing where he fooled goalie Charlie Smart into coming off his line. Staring at a clear net he buried the tying goal to complete some solo excellency.

It was a physical start to the second period and Kratoska felt the brunt of it as he was barrelled into the wall after attempting an early shot.

Against the run of play, Caleb Apperson scored with a rocket into the top corner, beating Smart from a long way out at 12.02. Few would attempt the shot but with the range we have already seen from Apperson it’s clear distance is never an issue and today he had the accuracy as well.

The lead only lasted a few minutes before Newcastle scored through on a rebound to Shane Southwood who was in the perfect place to snag a goal.

Adelaide’s intensity increased in response although the Adrenaline could not get past Smart for a second time in the period with the former Adelaide goalie denying Joey Rezek with a glove and Quenton Tombleson with a lunging pad save.

Eighteen seconds into the third Alex Adams and Kratoska combined to wrestle the lead back from Newcastle with a marauding run. Smart barely had time to blink as the attack came his way and when Adams collected possession he found space to bury the puck.

Desperation saw Apperson make a sliding stop deep in defence which forced a turnover. Taking possession at the halfway line, Rezek marched to goal with only one outcome on his mind - and he achieved it. Staring down Smart he picked out Kratoska who made it 4-2 at 13.25.

Newcastle wasn’t going to leave without a fight and they made it a one-goal game at 11.59 through Tomas Landa, the Northstar snapping up Nick Rivait’s pass and scoring into the top corner.

A crazy game went to the next level through Kratoska who fed the puck to Rezek, who put the pedal to the metal yet again with another dashing breakaway.

Corey Stringer was then able to add his name to the score sheet with a pinpoint pass from Rezek, handing the Adrenaline a two-goal buffer again at 10.52 as the former Mustang picked up his first point for Adelaide.

“Personally scoring a goal was really good here, trying to get that monkey off my back,” Stringer said.

“It was nice to get that bit of a cushion and it turns out we needed it.”

Adelaide saw two of its best sent to the box late in the third when Adams and Apperson were penalised in separate incidents, while Newcastle also lost Robert Malloy when he and Apperson clashed.

Holding the advantage in the powerplay, Newcastle was back in the game with 5.45 on the clock through Rivait before they tied it all up a minute later on a clean breakaway by Zane Jones. With nothing but empty ice ahead of him, Jones won the battle of wits against Andersson.

A pair of powerplays for Adelaide saw the Adrenaline come up empty handed despite running out the game with the advantage, leading to a second straight shootout.

“Basically you’re just playing for the win,” Stringer said.

“Every time they’re shooting you’re cheering for your goalie. Every time you’re shooting you’re going for your play. It’s always nerve wracking.”

Both sides scored their first chance with Rezek finding the net before Best’s attempt was stopped. However, two stops from Andersson meant Kratoska would win the game if he scored and the Czech star did just that with his third goal of the game.

While the team will celebrate tonight, Stringer says there is still room for improvement after coughing up the late lead.

“We want to come out firing again and then look at our defensive game,” he said.

“You can’t give up a two-goal lead like that in the third period so we have to lock down defensively and hopefully get three points.

Adelaide (nine points) and Newcastle (10 points) face off again on Sunday at 4.30PM with tickets available at adelaideadrenaline.com.au.

SCORING SUMMARY