First win in the books

The Proski Newcastle Northstars posted mixed results in their first double header weekend of the 2018 Australian Ice Hockey League season.

After a tough 8-3 loss to CBR Brave in the ACT on Saturday, the Northstars went toe-to-toe with the Sydney Ice Dogs at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday.

Three periods was not enough to separate the two teams. After a fiery game that ended 3-3, the Ice Dogs and Northstars went into a shootout.

It was the second shootout decider between the Northstars and Ice Dogs so far this season. But this time it was the Northstars who came out victorious, clinching the game 4-3.

“Going into the game I think the boys were feeling a bit of pressure," Northstars associate coach Ray Sheffield said. "We needed the win, especially at home. Sydney are kind of a rival of ours. It’s always going to be a bit fiery between the two.” 

Hockey lovers can safely bet that they will be in for a good game when Newcastle and Sydney meet.

Sunday's fixture came with an extra buzz around it as Northstars import Sam Lawson returned to the ice from a two game suspension. It followed the season opener against the Ice Dogs where Lawson was penalised after a fiery clash with Shannon McGreggor.

There were lots of big checks during Sunday's game from both teams, leading to bigger tousles. This energy culminated in a big hit on Lawson from Ice Dogs captain Scott Stephenson, leaving the import on the ice clutching his shoulder. However, by the next shift change, Lawson was back in the game. 

Lawson was not the only Northstar who returned to the ice on the weekend.

Goaltender Charlie Smart plus defenders Richie Tesarik and Robert Haselhurst - back in Australia from international duties at the IIHF World Championships in the Netherlands - suited up against the Brave and Ice Dogs.

Smart relieved Northstars starting goaltender Dayne Davis for periods two and three in Saturday's game in Canberra and played the full three periods in Sunday's game at home.

Captain Robert Malloy, fresh from landing in Australia on Sunday morning, suited up for his first Northstars game of the season against the Ice Dogs.

Ice Dogs' Nathan Chiarlitti was first on the scoreboard on Sunday night but Northstars local Pat Nadin wasn’t leaving that unanswered, scoring two goals before the end of the first period. 

Nadin has opened the scoring for the Northstars in both of its home games this season. He has scored three goals so far this season and sits third in the Northstars scoring table behind Zane Jones and Landa who have scored four each.

"He's working hard and getting goals. That's how it happens," Northstars general manager and associate coach Garry Dore said of Nadin's efforts.

The Ice Dogs' Geordie Wudrick evened the score in the second period.
A third goal from Northstars import Tomas Landa early in the second period, seeing the Northstars take the lead 3-2, lasted until the dying minutes of the third period. Ice Dog Jonatan Ruth tied the game up 3-3.

Neither team could break the stalemate, sending the game into a shootout. Two successful shots on Sydney's goal from Lawson and import Nick Rivait from three shots saw Newcastle claim their first win of the season.

“I think the boys had a little bit of fire for the game," Sheffield said. "It was a home game and disappointment and wanting to make amends for [Saturday] night’s result. It was good to see them come out they were fired up.

“We were pretty sound defensively. I think we just need to start scoring goals when we get the chances but really other than that I think we played pretty well.” 

Landa and Northstars import Joe Harcharik were Newcastle's goal scorers in Saturday's 8-3 loss to CBR Brave.

The Northstars' next home game is on May 26 when Melbourne Mustangs head to Newcastle. This weekend the Northstars head to Melbourne to play the Ice on Saturday and Mustangs on Sunday.