Newcastle’s team, made up in majority by members of the North Stars “feeder team” from the East Coast Hockey League, kept pace with the near-AIHL season ready Ice Dogs with the exception of two short-handed goals and a poor finish where they gave up two more goals in quick succession.

The lone goal for the North Stars came from AIHL hopeful Michael Slee; a booming slapshot from high between the faceoff circles.

Aspiring Newcastle goaltenders Nick Mizzen and Harley Quintin-Jones split the game while the Ice Dogs’ backup, Jake Burgess, minded the net for Sydney.

Just 11 players were available for the North Stars’ March 20 game in Sydney.

Several key players expected to return for next weekend’s Wilson Cup game, in readiness for the April 23 regular season opener.

The North Stars will be without defenceman Mathew Lindsay and utility Robert Malloy however, as they have been selected in the Australian senior men’s team headed to the world championship in Mexico City from April 9-15.

The North Stars’ next game will also be against the Ice Dogs on Saturday, April 2.

It will be the first taste of AIHL hockey fans will have had since the last home game of 2015 on August 23.

In that game, the North Stars blasted several records with a 14-0 win against the Ice Dogs.

It is the first time fans will get to see their team on home ice since the North Stars capped off a season of winning the 2015 Wilson Cup and the minor premiership with their fifth Goodall Cup national championship.

Tickets for the April 2 Wilson Cup game are available on the day from Hunter Ice Skating Stadium's doors. The game starts at 5pm.