By Xavier Player

Three goals by Andrea Steranko  and a late goal from Natasha Farrier has given the Adelaide Adrenaline a sixth title in seven years with a 5-2 victory of the Melbourne Ice on Sunday night in Adelaide. Xavier Player reports.

The Adrenaline opened the scoring after just 75 seconds through Andrea Steranko showing that this mornings game against the North Star Sirens wasn’t going to have any influence on their quest for a sixth championship in seven years.

The early deficient saw the Ice snap into action and the next few minutes saw some frenetic hockey with both sides unable to find the net.

Rylie Padjen doubled the advantage when she was able to pounce on a second chance opportunity.

Showing glimpses of the form that won them the title on home ice in 2010, the Ice were able to get a goal back through Nicole Tritter who scored unassisted.

Both sides would have felt that they missed opportunities early, knowing that any chances not taken in a decider can prove fatal.

The intensity continued early in the second period with the Ice showing why they are a force to be dealt with, defending strongly to keep themselves in the game.

The mood changed again at the IceArenA when the Ice were able to claw their way back to level pegging with just over eight minutes left through Alivia Del Basso .

The Ice had a great two on one opportunity as time wound down in the second period but an untimely turnover ensured that the sides would come into the last period of hockey with the scores level and everything to play for.

With both sides coming out all guns blazing in the last period both sides made sure they were protective of their own net, which lead to a bit of a lull in the action.

However it picked up half way through the period when Ice goalscorer Alivia Del Basso and Bethanie Kavanagh dropped the gloves, with both being sent to the box for roughing.

The Ice found themselves on the powerplay when Rylie Padjen was called for hooking with a little over eight minutes left, which gave them a golden opportunity to take the title back across the Murray.

The result of the powerplay was catastrophic as Andrea Steranko grabbed her  second, not only sealing the win for the Adrenaline but also ensuring that the Ice would be denied back to back titles.

Farrier sealed the result with five and a half minutes remaining when she was able to pounce on the loss puck and get it past the Melbourne netminder.

Adrenaline dominated right from the outset display the speed, control and enthusiasm we have been accustom to seeing. The Sirens were able to match Adrenaline in the first but still struggled to get good time on the puck. Adrenaline up to their old tricks dominating the neutral ice and keeping the Sirens in their own zone.

The Sirens did catch Adrenaline pushing to far forward a number of times being able to create the turnover and with quick movement the Sirens constantly found a team-mate forward of the Adrenaline defense. Too many times being unable to capitalize with open ice in front of them.

While at the other end Adrenaline made the most of every opportunity and after a tight 3-1 opening period quickly went about to put the game beyond reach. Adrenaline then in a devastating fashion scored 7 goals to 2 in the final two periods. This included an incredible unassisted goal by Jess Dennis from the point. Adrenaline goals also came from Andrea Steranko with four for the game, Tash Farrier with two, and singles to Rylie Padjen and Merridith Boyce.

The only concern was the 15 penalties that were handed out and Adrenaline will have to be smarter when they meet Melbourne Ice in the Grand Final later today. While these penalties did not have that much influence on the scoreboard it is something they can’t afford to risk.

While the scoreline suggests the Sirens had it all their own way, they were up against a determined Goannas outfit fighting for the right to take on Adelaide Adrenaline for the right to advance to tomorrows (Sunday) Grand-Final.

In a penalty ridden game which saw 11 penalties handed out, the Goannas applied good constant pressure on the more fancied Sirens outfit. While the Sirens did score early in the first the Goannas had greater control of the play and spent a good amount of time in the Sirens defensive zone. Just lacking that little bit of polish to finish of some great work with Tamra Jones and Erin Weber proving to be a constant handful.Goannas net-minder Kristy Bruske providing a valuable last line of defense.

The Sirens were never that convincing throughout the contest and wasn’t until the third period that they were able to take some sort of control, scoring 3 goals to 1 which also saw 5 out of the 11 penalties. Erin Weber scoring a power play goal in the third and Melinda White with the assist, proving the when the heat is on the Goannas are up to the challenge.

The Goannas still have the opportunity to get more from a season of higher expectations. Third place is still on offer and they are in a good position to pick off either Adrenaline or the Sirens after they battle it out for the right to go through to the Grand-Final.

What was in the first two periods a hard, fast and physical contest turned into a forgettable third period for the Adrenaline ladies. They were out-skated, out-played and out-muscled when Melbourne put on 5 goals to 1 sealing a comprehensive victory to take themselves straight into the AWIHL Grand-Final.

One thing the scoreline does not tell you is the outstanding effort from Adrenaline net-minder Belinda James. Under constant pressure and often without the protection of the usually formidable Adrenaline defense, Belinda helped keep the Ice from maybe what should have been a larger scoreline.

It was a battle of the boards which the Ice won through pure physical strength and presence. Coupled with speed and silky skills Melbourne dominated. They also controlled the all important neutral ice where their drive ultimately came from.

Penalties were also in favour of the Ice 2-5 but struggled to make them count. One area of the game that Adrenaline controlled and suffocated Melbourne, turning defense into attack.

Andrea Steranko and Courtney Tremblay were honest performers while Taylor Botterill battled hard and her work along the boards didn’t go unnoticed. Sari Lehmann was influential early with with a goal and assist, supporting Andrea Steranko up front who also scored a goal and two assists. Rylie Padjen was Adrenaline’s other goal scorer with the only third period goal.

Adrenaline now meet North Star-Sirens in tomorrow (Sunday) mornings Semi-Final after the Sirens comfortably beat the Brisbane Goannas 6-1.

It’s now ALL or nothing, Ladies

The 2011/12 AWIHL minor round series has finished, for Adelaide Adrenaline, Brisbane Goannas, Melbourne Ice and Newcastle North Star-Sirens it’s now all or nothing in the quest to claim the Joan McKowen Memorial Trophy.

The Melbourne Ice are the current defending champions and will once again have their say towards the this years outcome after a late season surge to take second position from the North Star Sirens in the final round.

But as they have been all season, Adelaide Adrenaline will surely be the team to beat on the 25th & 26th of February. Boasting an incredible display of dominance that saw Adrenaline with only the one shoot-out loss (from twelve games played) to Melbourne Ice back in early November 2011.

Adrenaline scored an incredible 87 goals in the twelve games and only conceding 21 and lead by their star English import Bethanie Kavanagh with a total of 45 points. Alivia Del Basso and Shona Green were Melbourne’s top points scorers with Rachael White and Sharna Godfrey leading the way for the Sirens. With the top four points scorers coming from Adrenaline it’s going to have to start with the defensive teams if the Ice, Sirens and Goannas are to give themselves a realistic chance.

The net-minders for Adrenaline in Belinda James and Claudia Tom will also be another key factor in their teams assault, clearly leading the way and providing that crucial last line of defense and it’s Adrenaline’s defensive lines that have dominated all season out of neutral ice.

Adrenaline Head Coach John Botterill wont look at changing too much to what he has already achieved, just to make sure his side continues to play at the level of intensity and consistency he expects. John will also look to continue rotating his forwards Bethanie Kavanagh and Canadian import Courtney Tremblay through the defensive lines to give that extra stability he has come to rely on.

For the Brisbane Goannas this is a chance to try and redeem themselves after a season that failed to deliver when they had high expectations at the beginning. With some very competitive performances throughout the season they could go some way to help shape the eventual outcome of the weekend.

The Sirens will look to find the form that carried them into the mid-season break where they were being talk as the contender to the title. Despite three defeats in their last three games the Sirens will believe they still have that early season form, which saw them hold second position throughout the majority of the minor rounds.

Four teams, five games in two days and for the ladies of Adelaide Adrenaline this would be a fairytale finish to and incredible season. Under their previous name the Assassins, they have won five of the last six championships only to see the Joan McKowen Memorial Trophy head over the border to Melbourne last year.

With the finals being held on home ice, Adrenaline will have no better opportunity to claim what they will believe is rightfully theirs and start a new legacy with their new brand.

Returning home from their first weekend away in the AWIHL season, the North Stars-Sirens backed up their confident predictions with two wins against the Brisbane Goannas. The Sirens team and coaching staff were quietly confident they would do well in Queensland, hoping to use the drills and plays they have been practicing to win both matches on the weekend.

“Our preparation was fantastic,” said Coach Andrew Reynolds. “However we underestimated what Brisbane was capable of as demonstrated in the score line.” Coach Mark Stephenson said the Sirens let the Goannas “dictate the game” on Saturday, which ended in a 3-1 win for the Newcastle team.

Sami Lai, Sharna Godfrey and Rachael White managed to get around the Goannas goalie and produced the three goals for the Saturday’s win. Identifying their mistakes from the day before, the Sirens turned up the heat on the Goannas for Sunday’s game, going in with a different mindset and ready to play Sirens hockey. The game ended in a 13-2 win.

“Brisbane have some veteran players who played some smart hockey all weekend,” said Sirens goalie Sera Dogramaci. “We struggled to score in the first game because of shooting straight at the goalie, and not finding the gaps. “Sunday however we were shooting to score, picking up rebounds, being in the right position, and nailing a couple of set plays we’ve been working on.  It was brilliant to see,” she said.

The Sirens are hoping to replicate their performance from Sunday when they face the Goannas again the 19th and 20th of November at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.

This weekend the North Stars-Sirens are taking to the skies as they travel to meet the Goanna’s in Brisbane to play their second round of games in the AWIHL season.

The Sydney Sirens team who moved to Newcastle this year debuted their season as the North Stars-Sirens the weekend of October 22. The team went up against the 2011 AWIHL Champions, the Melbourne Ice. The game on Saturday resulted in a marginal 1-0 loss for the Sirens, reflecting how tight the game was throughout all three periods.

The winning goal for the Ice came from an unlucky backdoor goal in the second period. “The girls missed a couple of key chances to tie up and even the game, but they played their hearts out with such determination,” said Coach Andrew Reynolds. “It was a great performance by both teams.” The Sirens came out hungry for the win on Sunday but it wasn’t until the second period that they were able to put points on the board.

Rachael White scored first from Sami Lai after battling it out in front of the net. After a waved off goal for Amelia Matheson, the Sirens recovered and were able to score once again to lead 2-0. The Ice retaliated with their only goal of the game after an admitted bad line change from the Sirens.

The Sirens third goal by Sharna Godfrey came from a backhanded shot into the top right corner of the Melbourne’s net, sealing the game with a 3-1 win. “I don’t think many people were expecting us to play so well, considering we’ve lost a couple of key players, and we still use no imports,” said goaltender Sera Dogramaci.

“We’ve had a bit of a disjointed preparation, so hopefully over the next few training sessions we’ll be able to work on those systems and plays that work for us.” Coach Mark Stephenson said he was “very happy” that the Sirens were able to split the weekend with the Melbourne Ice and said he is hoping the Sirens do better in Brisbane.

The Sirens management are quietly confident that the team will do well in Queensland, taking the drill and plays they have been working on out onto the ice. Coach Reynolds said the team is “pretty confident” and are excited for their first road trip of the season.

The Hunter Adelaide Adrenaline have opened the 2011/12 AWIHL season in emphatic style crushing the Brisbane Goannas in their double-header at the Ice Arena Thebarton over the weekend.

With both teams coming off a rebuilding year and looking forward to a brighter 2011/12 season. Whilst the Adrenaline couldn’t have had a better start, the Goannas showed some very positive signs for the season ahead.

A powerful display in every facet of the game, Adrenaline piled on 18 goals to 1 to easily take maximum points, recording an 8-1 victory on Saturday and backing up in game two with a 10-0 win.

This results and effort making Adrenaline Head Coach, John Botterill, very happy. “At the start of the year we got a few new girls on the team and lost a few girls from last year. Really positive the way they all supported each other and that was our ambition, get out there, work hard and support each other.” John said.

Adrenaline defenseman Jess Dennis also added, “It’s the first time we’ve played together with this line up it took a little bit of teething, but we really started to sink well with each other.”

Cleverly coached by John Botterill and aided by the dominance of Adrenaline’s first line of Natasha Farrier, Bethanie Kavanagh and Andrea Steranko accumulating a massive 26 points between them. Also add to that the hard working effort and versatility of Courtney Tremblay, the poise and cool head of Diana Glass.  Taylor Botterill also rates a mention for her maturity and knowledge of the game. While Taylor did not score points her previously mentioned attributes and positioning was outstanding and play such an important role. Adrenaline’s goal tenders Belinda James and Claudia Tom were outstanding with Claudia been made to work harder in game two.

Adrenaline controlled the weekend through their Defensive team controlling the neutral zone where Adrenaline were able to put constant pressure inside the Goannas zone. With silky passing and outstanding puck control Adrenaline constantly was attacking the Goanna goal at will.

“We trained hard and the D’s have been getting thrashed a lot in training. Getting us used to keeping things in the offensive zone, making sure we have the guts to keep the play there and take the chances when we need to.” Jess said.

Jess further added, “We have got a really strong line and there’s a lot of depth in there.”

But credit has to the Goannas defensive team and in particular to their goal tenders Kristy Bruske, Hayley White and Fiona Jeffery. Their efforts were exceptional despite the score line. Erin Webber produced some great hockey, fast skating out of their own zone and silky skills but just lacked the support needed going forward. Tamara Jones was another Goanna who worked hard all weekend for little reward.

“I really thought they stayed with us (the Goannas) in the early part of game one and a lot more so than last year. They worked really hard, especially their goal tenders played excellent and their skill level has improved. But we have a better team than last year so you give them credit.” John added.

The Goannas produced some good clean quick skills that in time will only improve but lacked some strength along the boards where they were continuously out muscled.

The Adrenaline now look forward to hosting the Melbourne Ice in two weeks and the Goannas get their first home fixture against the North Star-Sirens on the 5^th November 2011, in what should be another very entertaining weekend of hockey.