Tough weekend in Sydney

The Newcastle Northstars left Macquarie Ice Rink with no points after a tough weekend facing the Sydney teams - Ice Dogs and Bears.

After a schedule change due to the USA vs Canada Ice Hockey Classic, the Northstars faced the Ice Dogs on Friday night.

Before the puck dropped for the game, fans were treated to watching the USA and Canadian Ice Hockey Classic players train at Macquarie Ice Rink.

This was a great opportunity for many, and saw more spectators to stay for the AIHL game.

“It was exciting playing a Friday night game, bit different” Newcastle alternate captain Matt Wetini said.

“A bit late at night, but we are used to that. We usually train around 8pm so we were used to the time. Bit exciting but we didn’t get the results we wanted.”

After a ceremonial puck drop from Australian NHL prospect Nathan Walker – who plays for Washington Capitals farm team the Hershey Bears (in the AHL) – the Ice Dogs gained the upper hand on Friday night finishing the game 7-2.

Sunday night saw another tough loss for the Northstars, going down to the Sydney Bears 8-4 after two empty net goals late in the third period.

Newcastle defenceman Felix Poulin scored twice.

Import Joe Harcharik and captain Bert Malloy also scored in Sunday night’s game.

Even after being lucky enough to pull on a USA jersey at the Ice Hockey Classic at Qudos Bank Arena the night before – his third game that week – Malloy still had enough energy to score the Northstars’ fourth goal of Sunday night.

“It was a tough game you know, we started a bit slow there,” Wetini said.

“We were lucky to get the first goal, but we just couldn’t find our feet.

“That carried on over to the second and then the Sydney Bears got a couple of goals up. We fought hard in the third there, but it just wasn’t enough.”

“We’ll go back to the drawing board on Tuesday and get back at it next weekend against Adelaide.”

Although the Northstars didn’t manage to bring home the points, local player Tim Stanger celebrated 150 regular season games.

The Northstars face Adelaide Adrenaline at home on Saturday, June 24.

Get to the game to get behind the boys and show your support.