After a tough 2016 and a long off-season the Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport, are excited to get back on the ice in front of a packed IceArenA on Saturday.

Their first game of they year will not be easy. They are playing the most dominant team in the last two seasons - the PROSKI Newcastle Northstars. The two-time defending champs are well structured, well-coached and present a challenge to any team they face each and every year.
 

The Adrenaline are building off an off-season training program that began in November. The players are ready for it to start for real in front of a sold-out IceArenA.

David Huxley takes over the reigns as Captain for the first time while Sami Mantere is ready to coach his first game. 

Here is what you need to know for the game.  Let's take a look at some of the match ups at all ends of the rink.

FORWARDS

Newcastle - Potential Line Combinations

Newcastle traditionally loads up and puts their imports on one line and a strong line of local Aussies on a second. Generally these two lines play the majority of the game. 

It's a formula that has worked over the years and the last two seasons are no different. They are the defending champions for a reason.

With one of their imports, Joe Harcharik, unavailable for action this weekend it likely means that imports Steve Kuhn and Matt Marantz will play with local Beau Taylor who had 11 points in 8 games last week. Kuhn played CIS hockey with St. FX and was a teammate of former Adrenaline import Gab O'Connor. Marantz had a productive career with the Western Mustangs in the CIS. 

Newcastle has brought over an import that ended up leading the AIHL in scoring the last two seasons and will hope and expect to do the same this year.

After that Newcastle will rely on locals like Pat Nadin, Tim Southwood, Tim Stranger, Hamish Powell and Zane Jones. They will have to find the right combination to provide depth after that supercharged top line. 

Adrenaline Forwards - How will they shape up?

We know that Newcastle will load up with an 'Import Line' to set the pace but will the Adrenaline do the same? They are missing reigning MVP Wehebe Darge to so there are questions that need answering. 

If the Adrenaline decide to 'load up' up on the top line fans could see an enthralling combo of import Cam Critchlow, Aussie national team leading scorer Josef Rezek and returning import Cole MacMillan. They'll be asked to slip the puck in the net.

You could also see a player like Darren Corstens or AIHL points leader Greg Oddy slip on the top line and either Rezek or MacMillan drop down to the second. 

If you think the two 'Import Lines' on each team cancel each other out, perhaps the game will be won with the local players. The question will then be can the Adrenaline local player step up and outplay Newcastle's Aussie-born players?

For that, the Adrenaline might look to their young guns for an answer. 19-year-old Remy McGuiness has worked his tail off in preseason training. He brings a combination of grit, speed and on-ice leadership at a young age and the Adrenaline expect him to make life tough for all opponents.

Then you have a duo of 17-year-olds in Jake Rile and Marcel McGuiness. Both had strong international off-seasons winning a gold medal for Australia's U18 side and an Aussie Junior title with the Adelaide Generals.

Gritty winger Darren Corstens has almost a decade of AIHL experience at just age 26 and expects to have a big season with an increased role. 

Then there is Greg Oddy, who always averages at least a point-per-game per season. Steve Best is a goal-scoring machine in IHSA Premier League Hockey who hopes to keep improving at the national level. 

Ryan Foll, Tyson Boyd and Graham Charbonneau round out the forwards for the Adrenaline. Foll has shown a blistering accurate shot locally, Boyd makes life miserable for opponents and it's hard to find a more knowledgable and hockey-savy player than Charbs. 

The Adrenaline forwards will have to find a way to provide two or three lines of hell for Newcastle

DEFENSE 

Newcastle have built their team on strong local defenseman. Bert Malloy has led the team to a couple championships. John F Kennedy is an American-born player who has been one of the best in Australia the last few seasons. He is now classed as a 'local'.

They have also added import Felix Poulin. This guy could be good....really good. His game looks to be tailor-made for the AIHL and Newcastle. He has a great shot from the point and likes to join the rush. He led all defenseman in points in the British elite league. The Adrenaline will have their hands full with multiple defenseman who can burn opponents.

That said, the Adrenaline have a few tricks up their sleeve. After being decimated by injuries last year Adelaide loaded up on defense. They welcome back 20-year-old Zach Boyle who is developing into a solid puck moving defenseman. Veteran Ben Gebert returns to bring calmness, experience and maturity to the line. David Huxley is reliable and one of Australia's best. 

Jordan Geyer will play the sixth defenseman today. The rookie has worked hard to earn a spot on the team. 

They also added two import defenseman in Morgan McNeill and Casey Babineau.  McNeill plays a hard-working, gritty style of play while Babineau keeps things simple.

The Northstars have the star power but the Adrenaline have a very solid bunch.

GOALTENDING

This will be fun as two men who shared the crease go head-to-head. Pete King gets the start for Adelaide while it will likely be former Adrenaline goalie Charlie Smart in net for the Adrenaline.

Smart had a 4.76 Goals Against Average last year. On his day he is one of he best in the day, but if he gets rattled the Adrenaline may be able to take advantage.

Both men will want to outduel each other so it should be very interesting!