Saturday’s win elevated the North Stars to second place in the AIHL standings, with the Ice Dogs in first place after earning themselves a total of seven points from their four games.

The North Stars were able to turn the tables on the Ice on Saturday, who typically use their strong home ice advantage to blitz visiting teams early the game.

Newcastle were leading 2-1 after the first period, and never gave up their lead despite giving up to late goals in the game to allow Ice within shooting range at 4-3.

Sunday’s game was a very different story, when an already shadow bench was thinned further by the ejection of Sean Oultram in the first period for rough play, leaving the North Stars with just one import, a sophomore and a rookie on defence for the game.

Newcastle fought back in the second period to get the game within 1 goal at 4-3, but the loss of Gicu Oprea to injury further thinned the lethargic side, the Adrenaline stamping their mark on the game with three unanswered goals in the third.

Coach Don Champagne was understandably feeling mixed emotions about the weekend.

“I’m happy we won on Saturday against the Ice, regulation wins against the Ice in their home rinks are an uncommon event.

“It was a crappy game for us on Sunday though, the guys were tired and couldn’t skate with Adelaide’s import line, they are very quick.”

The North Stars were without Rob Starke who was unable to make his connecting flights to catch the team in Melbourne, and assistant coach Steve Lindsay had to make the quick call to home to summon son Matt, who has played consecutive weekends in AIHL uniforms now in 2009.

Steven Kaye and Rob Starke are expected this week to complete the squad, while Gicu Oprea will be out for an undetermined amount of time with his upper body injury.

The North Stars host the Gold Coast Blue Tongues for a double-header at home next weekend.

While the North Stars have good depth and typically excellent goaltending this season, there is anxiety about with the Blue Tongues recruiting top-shelf import talent for their squad in 2009.