Forbes-White impresses in tight exhibition clash
by Jack Wright 

Glen Forbes-White will play for the Agile Group Adelaide Adrenaline this season but for Saturday evening at least he was the opposition.

He got the call between the pipes for the opposition in the club’s exhibition game vs. the SA All-Stars.

“Coach [Jim Fuyarchuk] thought it might be better if I face better shots from our own players, and face as many shots as I can,” said Forbes-White. 

Photo: Matt Wragg 

If that was coach Jim’s plan – it worked. The Adrenaline peppered Forbes-White all night with shots from all over the ice but the young goaltender stole the show and kept the All-Stars in the game. 

Forbes-White stopped 45 of 49 shots he faced as the Adrenaline slipped by the SA All-Stars. 

“It was the most shots I’ve faced for a while,” he said after the game. 

Coach Jim thought Glen was impressive in the game. The Adrenaline will bring an import goalie but Fuyarchuk says it’s important for young goalies like Glen to be prepared. 

“We wanted to make sure he had a good workout with shots on net. It was a good game for him in terms of preparation,” said Fuyarchuk. “It’s a long season and we want to make sure we start on the right foot.”

Some of Adelaide’s players also got off on the right foot. 3^rd-time returning import Ales Kratoska was impressive and seemed to mix well with new import Kyle Neuber – a former NHL Draft pick. Kratoska had two goals on the evening while Neuber played a steady, physical role and helped open up space.

Quenton Tombleson and Jake Riley had the other goals for the Adrenaline. 

“It feels good to see them gel already,” said Forbes-White of their performance. “Ales, as usual, had his dangles and a bag full of moves. Kyle played really well. To see that happen early on is a good feeling, even though it was against me.” 

The Adrenaline were without national team players Zach Boyle and Josef Rezek as well as import defenseman Alex Gauthier or Jamie Holland. The SA All-Stars put the depth of the Adrenaline to the test in an intense game. 

SA All-Stars forward Kayne Fedor, who played for the Sydney Bears in 2018, opened the scoring on a mini breakaway by getting through three defending Adrenaline players. He was assisted by Adam Wise who poked the puck through to set up the goal. 

However, the Adrenaline quickly countered just 30 seconds later with a solo effort from Kratoska. 

Shortly after, the play was stopped for an extended time as the ice was damaged by an Adrenaline player crashing the net. The Adrenaline appeared to have scored on the play, however referee Tommi Karppinen immediately waved it off due to the net being removed from a mooring during the play. 

The first period ended with a power-play goal from the All Stars as Aaron Grubb, who just returned from a season playing in Canada, whacked home a loose puck that was juggled and ultimately dropped from Adrenaline starting goalie Jeremy Friederich. 

The second period had the ice tilt against the All Stars. The Adrenaline poured on 20 shots on net vs. Forbes-White while the All-Stars didn’t muster a shot on goal. 

While Forbes-White kept them in it, the Adrenaline did score two times in the period. 

18-year-old Forward Jake Riley tied up the game at two by scoring an unassisted Mortgage Choice Malvern Goal. He had a sharp wrist shot that beat Forbes-White blocker side after finding some daylight down the left wing. 

Quenton Tombleson pounced on a lose puck after a scramble in front of the net and put it top shelf just a few minutes later to give Adelaide their first lead. 

The start of the third period was sluggish affair with multiple offside offences and several pucks hitting the protective netting. 


Ales Kratoska was up to his old tricks on Saturday. He returns for a 3rd season. Photo: Frank Kutsche. 

However, both teams picked up the pace and puck aggression as the game moved along. The All Stars killed a penalty on Tyson Boyd and used the momentum of the PK to create several dangerous chances but all were ultimately stopped by net-minder Friederich.

Adelaide added much needed insurance when Kratoska tallied his second of the game. This one was a little easier.

Ryan Foll sniped a shot past Forbes-White with a bar-down wrister and a ping that echoed around the arena. It hit the bar, bounced behind the goalie and made it easy for Kratoska to scoop up. 4-2. 

The All Stars then went into offense mode and titled the ice in their favour. Fedor sauced a pass cross crease to Connor Smith who looked certain to score, except for a brilliant save by Friederich who stretched out to make the save with his stick.

The final goal of the game came with 0.02 seconds left on the clock. Connor Smith for the All Stars shoved a loose puck home to bring the final score of 4-3.

Kyle Neuber, the recent acquisition for the Adrenaline lived up to his potential. Creating space for himself and creating quality chances throughout the game. 

Coach Fuyarchuk says he’ll add a lot to the team. 

“The experience he has, the level of hockey he has played at, plus his age and that maturity…I think he’s going to be a great leader,” he said. 

The season begins for real on Saturday April 20 in Melbourne vs. the Mustangs. The Adrenaline will be joined by defensemen Zach Boyle and Alexandre Gauthier, as well as All-Star forward Josef Rezek in time for the games. 

Fuyarchuk says he wants to build on a solid defensive effort, from a game that saw the Adrenaline limit the All-Stars to no shots in the second period. 

"We have to make sure that we're playing well defensively, and I feel our offense and whole game will stem from that," he says. "Defensive zone coverage is the key to me all around. If you can slow teams down, it can add to your confidence as whole."

"Our whole team game will develop if we can make sure we're looking after our own end."

Adelaide opens at home the following week vs. CBR Brave.