A very tough Adrenaline road trip August 10 and 11 with two very hard games against a high quality team fighting to stay in the playoff race was the mission. Saturday’s game was a contest of tactics and goalkeepers. I was discussing with Rob Cox and The Hoff on the flight over about how we rarely get a fast start on the road and ways to change that situation. I am not sure what changed, but we scored in the first 20 seconds and by the end of the first we were 4-0 up!
The finishing from the boys up front was exceptional in that first period. Adelaide are a strong unit with a lot of senior national team players, but I think the surprise of the pace we started with caught them unawares at the back Brian Berger picked up a hat trick with some fast feet and hands as our first line were firing on all cylinders. We expected some adjustments and a fight back from the home team, and by the end of the second it was 4-2. Though we had a lot of chances to score it was a battle out there. We talked in the dressing room and made a few changes to tighten up our positioning, and as a team from defence to forwards we put in a great third period to take a very valuable win and 3 very important points.
On Sunday the coaching staff must have covered the game plan a hundred times over numerous coffees, but we were all on the same page which is very reassuring. We tweaked a few things but overall the boys on the ice would decide the points. No matter how many lines you draw or plans you make, someone has to implement them and the players have to stay focused and committed to whatever plan is made. We knew they would come out hard and fast and being a larger team we expected more physicality and we were not disappointed. Dan Clarke played an outstanding game for us in net as the Adrenaline threw everything at us. We weathered the storm which was hard at times, but in possession we also showed that we too can play the game, and we stayed ahead on the scoreboard with some very skillful goals from Cox and Mohle. It was a battle from beginning to end and I am not sure that we have played in a tougher game to date. Adelaide are as good as any team we have played this season and I am surprised their chances of finals ended with us.
There was a lot more to take from this epic weekend than simply 6 points. As a new franchise in only our second season we are still taking development steps. Yes, we are competing well on the ice, but we are also still building a team and club culture. It takes hard lessons to learn how to win when you need it, how to stay calm under pressure, how to keep discipline, and how to sacrifice to put the team first above yourself and your personal needs. I think this weekend as a team we showed that we are really progressing with these very important stages. Our team worked hard under pressure, and showed great skill and determination to dig deep and grind out a great result for our playoff chances
As an achievement, it’s been over six years since any team traveled to Adelaide and took all six points. Standing together and believing in each other played a very large part in these wins and in keeping our finals hopes alive. Now it is back to training and preparation for two hard games here in Perth against the Sydney Bears this weekend, where we need all the points if we want to play in the finals in September.
Stan Scott
Head Coach
Perth Thunder
www.PerthThunder.com.au