As the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) exits its early season break, Hockey Hype Australia checks in with each of the five teams, highlighting a handful of players making an early impact. As we are doing this alphabetically, we begin with the Adelaide Rush.

The Rush has started its campaign strongly and will exit the early season break in second position, tied with the league-leading Melbourne Ice on points percentage. After four games, the team has already eclipsed its 2022 win and points total.

As Rush fans will attest, none of the team’s three wins have come easily. All three of Adelaide’s victories have featured go-ahead goals either late in the third period or in overtime.

Here are five players we selected who have made an impact early in the season for the Rush.

Amelia Knott/Archie Smith

Yes, we know that’s two players. But the player between the pipes has been vital to Adelaide’s success this season.

Smith’s first game this season was a 6-2 loss to the Lightning, but Smith bounced back in a big way to defeat the Sydney Sirens 5-4 the next time out. Some of the glove saves Smith made in that contest were ludicrous.

For Knott, this is her debut season in the AWIHL, and she has two wins from two appearances. Knott has demonstrated excellent rebound control early on and is proving herself a calming, reliable presence in the net.

Smith and Knott backstopped the Australian Women’s U18 team to gold at the IIHF Division II World Championships earlier this year. Together, they are pushing to lead their team to the Joan McKowen Memorial Trophy this season.

Kirsty Venus

For fans new to the AWIHL, you will notice Kirsty Venus a lot while watching the Adelaide Rush. Venus is a smooth-skating, puck-carrying defender whose dekes can break the ankles of forecheckers.

According to esportsdesk, Venus has collected four points (2G, 2A) in four games. And those points have come at critical times, including assisting Tihema’s overtime winner against Brisbane, assisting Cybulski’s late game-winner against Sydney, and scoring a late game-winner against Sydney.

Adelaide Rush Head Coach Joey MacDougall hinted after the first two games that the coaching staff was considering reining Venus in a little bit, as she hasn’t been used to playing on a team with the offensive strength of the current group.

That’s a situation to keep an eye on for the rest of the season, but for now, Venus is one of the most fun players to watch in the league.

Maya Tupper

Venus isn’t the only smooth-skating, puck-carrying blueliner on the Rush. The other is exciting new import, Maya Tupper.

Tupper has six points (1G, 5A) in four appearances, according to esportsdesk, and forms part of a lethal one-two punch from the blue line at Head Coach Joey MacDougall’s disposal.

It seems that at any time during the game, one of Venus or Tupper is out on the ice for the Rush, and Tupper, similar to Venus, has the green light to be heavily involved with the offence.

While Venus and Tupper are rarely on the ice together, late in the game against the Sirens, with the scores tied and the Rush needing a goal, MacDougall put them out together on an offensive zone faceoff.

The move paid off as Tupper assisted on Venus’ go-ahead goal and eventual game winner. It’s a nuclear option from the blue line that most teams must be envious of.

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Kate Tihema

There was a strong temptation to include Tihema’s linemates as well – Kaitlyn Malthaner and Natalie Ayris – but if you were mad at us for cheating with the goalie option, we’d have lost you here for sure.

Tihema is a faceoff specialist – if you need a draw won, Tihema gets the job done. However, Tihema is more than just good in the dot; she is one of the best two-way centres in the league.

Often tasked with shutting down the other team’s scorers, Tihema has been lighting it up at the other end of the ice, scoring seven points (4G, 3A) in four games.

Torie Cybulski

Rush Captain Tash Farrier, in an interview with players from the Adelaide Jokerit Juniors, made a point of predicting that Torie Cybulski would have a breakout season in her sophomore campaign.

Farrier’s early prediction seems to be coming to fruition. Cybulski celebrated her 17^th birthday weekend in style, scoring four points across two games, including Saturday’s game-winner, to sweep the Sirens.

Cybulski isn’t afraid to battle in the paint for goals, and the talented forward also possesses a lethal shot that can beat goaltenders from a distance.

Thanks for reading. Let us know your thoughts on the players we picked in the comments, and stay tuned as we continue our series tomorrow with the Brisbane Lightning.