Adelaide Adrenaline have secured a semi-final clash with the Melbourne Ice after a hard fought, uncompromising 4-2 victory over the Sydney Ice Dogs at Thebarton Ice Arena on Sunday.

Adelaide showed for most of the game more poise, control and discipline, while at times Sydney showed glimpses of why they have finished the season in third place. Sydney’s game plan came back to bite them as they were sent to the penalty box eleven times, five of which came in the third where nine penalties were handed out overall. Sixteen penalties were handed throughout the game in front of a near capacity crowd full of fire and venom.

It was the most even performance from the Adrenaline all season with no one really standing out. Every skater was accountable and there is some real chemistry forming at the right end of the season.

Adrenaline now with five wins from their last six games are full of confidence heading into the first weekend in September.

The game started low key with both teams sizing each other up with a few hard hits and using the boards effectively to set the tone for the game.

It took just 4 and a half minutes for the Ice Dogs to find the back of the net through Captain David Dunwoodie who was among the Dogs better players, from Scott Stephenson and Brook Robinson who also was among the Dogs best, only to have the Adrenaline reply with one of their own thirty seconds later. Josef Rezek showing great skill and poise from deep in the Adrenaline’s defensive zone, finding a gap through Jimmy Herbert. Assisted from the face off by Nick Clark and Cassian Delsar.

The Ice Dogs found themselves in penalty trouble minutes later with four sent from the ice in two minutes. The Adrenaline were able to take some advantage and score via a one-timer from David Huxley out wide, from SeanScarbrough and Greg Oddy.

This set the tone for the rest of the game as the Dogs continuously found themselves in penalty trouble.

With Just over two minutes remaining the Adrenaline found themselves in the box and the Dogs scored an easy power play goal through Brook Robinson. Being allowed to come from deep in the right corner to square up in front of goal unchecked and unchallenged, assisted by David Dunwoodie. Game tied at 2-2 at the end of the first period.

A few minutes into the second and the Ice Dogs found themselves in more penalty trouble with another two sent from the ice within a minute. The Adrenaline once again were able to capitalize on a 5 on 3 and scored in front of a congested goal through Captain Greg Oddy, from Cassian Delsar and Kevin Phillips.

The Adrenaline again scored a minute and a half later from a look away backhanded shot through Josef Rezek for his second, assisted by James Keane and Cassian Delsar with his third assist.

The second finished with Adrenaline up 4-2 and some hard, unforgiving end to end hockey.

In a penalty ridden, nine penalties in total and scoreless third period Adrenaline was able to maintain composure and control most of the period. Not needing to score they were able to keep the puck and the Ice Dogs in deep of the Dogs defensive zone. Some tensions started to boil and the fiery home crowd were letting the Dogs know about it.

“It was a tough game out there and we did what we had to do, we wanted to get the points and we knew it wasn’t going to pretty. We always have good games with them, lots of offensive and lots of defence. We’re just happy to get through with the points,” said Adrenaline Captain Greg Oddy.

“Overall I think it was a good discipline effort,” Oddy added.