Adrenaline raise nearly $24,000 for bushfire relief

The South Australian ice hockey community joined forces on Saturday to raise funds for South Australian bushfire relief in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island. A huge crowd packed into the IceArena to see Team Local take on Team World, with current Adelaide Adrenaline and Adelaide Rush players joining forces with Adrenaline alumni and SA ice hockey icons. The game, organised by Adrenaline legend Greg Oddy and former president Eric Balnar was a collaboration with Adelaide Adrenaline, the South Australian Ice Sports Federation and Ice Hockey SA. 

Before the game began, the crowd was stood in silence for the national anthem and the welcome to country, courtesy of the Kaurna Boomerangs who recently returned from playing in North America. Premier Steven Marshall was then given the honour of the ceremonial puck drop and thanked the community for the support. 

Image: Frank Kutsche/Sticks and Stones Photography

From the moment the puck dropped and despite it being an exhibition game, it was clear that both teams were playing to win. Team World had a productive first period, putting six goals past Team Local goalie Paul Cracknell. It was an all-round team effort with six individual goal scorers including goals from Adrenaline player Joey McDougall, Stop Concussions founder Kerry Goulet and former captain of the Australian national team Glen Foll. Randy Osbourne, Mitch Villani and Mike Gainer rounded out the scoring for team World. A strong first period also saw Joey Rezek finish with three assists. 

Team Local didn’t shy away from the challenge, still managing to score three goals. Adrenaline players starred for the locals with Ryan Foll and Zach Boyle putting pucks in net and Steve Best and Remy McGuiness getting assists. Greg Oddy also showed hasn’t lost any of his formidable speed, skating around defenders and sliding the puck past Team World Goaltender Olivier Martin with only seconds left in the period. The score was 6-3 at the buzzer with Team World taking the lead and putting the challenge out to the locals.  

Image: Frank Kutsche/Sticks and Stones Photography

The second period was the complete opposite to the first with the goalies taking control of the game. Andrew Glass stood up for Team Local, keeping 10 shots on goal out of the net. On the other side of the ice, Olivier Martin was also strong, facing 14 shots and only allowing a single goal. Luke Thilthorpe was the goal scorer and cut the lead to only two goals, with players going to the change rooms with the score 6-4 to Team World. 

The crowd was pumped for a big third period and the players didn’t disappoint. The period started with the goaltenders once again controlling the game until Luke Thilthorpe stepped up and put a goal in net with 8 minutes to go. Team Local began to rally and with 4 minutes remaining Thilthorpe scored his third goal of the game, earning himself a hattrick. The game was tied and despite some close calls, some big saves kept the score tied at the buzzer and gave the crowd some bonus 3v3 overtime hockey. 

There wasn’t a single person in the building who wasn’t on the edge of their seat at the beginning of the overtime period. For the first minute neither team was able to get a shot on goal. The game was tightly contested until a diving Josh Harding managed to poke the puck forward and it ended on the stick of Adelaide Rush player Tash Farrier. Farrier skated alone into towards Olivier Martin and executed a perfect top shelf shot to score and win the game for Team Local.

It was a thrilling end to an exciting game that had it all. Team Local got the win over Team World but no one left disappointed with a great game put on by the players and organisers. After the game the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters all gathered in the VIP room to enjoy a refreshing beer or cider which was kindly donated by Adrenaline sponsor Big Shed Brewing Concern. 

Image: Frank Kutsche/Sticks and Stones Photography

All funds raised on the day will be donated to bushfire relief in South Australia via CFS Foundation and Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund. The Adelaide Adrenaline would like to thank everyone involved in organising the game and to all the supporters who came out and enjoyed the game. Jerseys are still available for auction until Monday at 9:30pm. 

Want more hockey? The Adrenaline Season will begin in April with the first home game on April 25. You don’t need to wait that long though with an exhibition game on the 21st March at the IceArena. Get your tickets with the link below https://www.trybooking.com/BHPWP