THE Newcastle North Stars opened its 2016 Australian Ice Hockey League season the same way they ended it in 2015 – in spectacular style.
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The reigning champions won both of its games against Perth Thunder in Western Australia during the April 23-24 season opening weekend.
The North Stars, still missing several key players including imports Josh Harris and Brandon Greenside, returned home on Sunday with five points.
“I'm extremely proud,” North Stars coach Andrew Petrie said of the wins.
“There aren't too many teams that can come over [to Perth] and get the results we did.
“Especially for a team that, on paper, was undermanned.”
On Saturday, April 23, the North Stars won its game in a shootout 3-2.
One of the North Stars' youngest players, Pat Nadin, scored Newcastle's first goal in Saturday's game – and the first of the season – in the first period.
“Patty had a very very good weekend. I am very proud of him,” Petrie said.
The North Stars led 1-0 before Perth Thunder tied it up 1-1 by the end of the first period.
The game stayed tied 1-1 until the third and final period when new Newcastle import Connor McLaughlin made his mark.
McLaughlin, from the United States, scored his first goal with the North Stars with three minutes left in the game.
Again, Perth Thunder were able to tie the game with seconds left. It ended 2-2 and went to a shootout.
After five rounds – where both teams saw five players individually shoot the puck on their opposing goaltender – the North Stars came out the winners.
McLaughlin and long-time North Stars player Jayson Chalker were the Newcastle players who scored in the shootout.
On Sunday, April 24, the North Stars won outright, 2-1.
The North Stars trailed the Thunder 1-0 for most of the game.
Perth scored late in the first period.
The game remained 1-0 until the opening minutes of the third period.
Newcastle player Tim Stanger scored to tie Perth 1-1.
Later in the third period Newcastle import player Scott Swiston, from Canada, scored for the North Stars to put them in the lead 2-1.
In a tough, tight game, the North Stars were able to hold the lead and return home with five points from the AIHL opening weekend.
"An import arrives with a lot of fanfare, especially after looking at his resume," Petrie said.
"But what Connor has that can't be see on a resume, and it's the same with Scott [Swiston], is competitiveness.
"Connor and Scott would skate through a brick wall just for the opportunity to pass the puck for a goal.
"They both have an extremely high sense of competitiveness."
The North Stars' next game will be played at home – Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay – on Sunday, May 1, against Melbourne Ice.
The North Stars defeated Melbourne Ice in the 2015 AIHL grand final to win the championship.
