At Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday the North Stars won its first game in the Wilson Cup, a preseason Australian Ice Hockey Leaguetournament, against long-time rivals the Sydney Ice Dogs, 5-1.

North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said he was "pretty happy" with the outcome, but said winning had not been the focus of taking part in the tournament.

"The focus was to get the guys to put into practice in a game situation what we've been working on in the last couple of months," Petrie said.

"I was very happy with the level of effort for all but about five minutes during the third period and we have plenty to work on but it's only early days.

"We're going to work on being more cohesive on the ice.

"By the time the season proper comes around I want that to be in place 90 per cent of the time."

It was Brian Bales who racked up the North Stars' first goal of the game.

Bales, who was the league's top scorer for 2010, returns to the North Stars fold this season alongside veterans Ray Sheffield and Rob Starke.

Tim Stanger, a Newcastle born-and-bred player, chipped in a second goal for the North Stars before rookie Hayden Sheard demonstrated why he retained a spot on the roster this season with a third.

It was only after defenceman Jayson Chalker and Sheard, again, scored goals that the Ice Dogs were able to get through Newcastle goaltender Josh Broekman and put a point on the board.

The North Stars' next Wilson Cup game will be against the Sydney Bears in Penrith on Sunday before playing two final games at the Hunter stadium on April 11 and 12.