A WELL-EARNED break after the opening weekend of the Australian Ice Hockey League season gave the Newcastle North Stars time to regroup ahead of their clash with the Adelaide Adrenaline on Saturday.
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After an unforgettable 4-0 home game loss to the Sydney Bears on Sunday, April 13, the North Stars will look to be a dominant force against Adelaide with a full team on Saturday.
Ahead of the North Stars' third game of the 2014 season, Newcastle coach Garry Dore said while he could not predict the outcome so early in the season, he felt confident going into it.
He said the Easter break came at a good time, especially after playing three preseason games in the Wilson Cup tournament.
"Sometimes the thought is the more games the better," Dore said.
"But you end up with a couple of injuries and tiring out players.
"The weekend off has been good and it gives the imports time to settle in."
The North Stars final import, Chris Wilson, arrived in Australia from Canada on Good Friday, April 18.
He joins goaltender Harrison May, who, from two games, has already impressed Dore, returning defender John Kennedy Jr and Cody Danberg.
Wilson finished his season with the Southern Professional Hockey League's Louisiana Ice Gators before he flew to Australia to play with the North Stars this season.
It is expected Wilson will lead Newcastle's goal tally this year with Dore saying the Canadian was an "agile play-maker" and would complement the team "perfectly".
"We'll put Chris and Cody together with Adam Geric at this stage," Dore said.
Saturday's game will be the first for Geric, who returned to Australia last week from Serbia after representing the nation in an international ice hockey world championship.
The North Stars last played the Adrenaline in a double header in Adelaide on June 29 and 30 last year.
Both games were won by the North Stars following a shoot-out.