The fourth-placed Northstars host Perth Thunder on Saturday then Sydney Ice Dogs on Sunday after a mixed weekend of results on May 13 and 14.

Newcastle went down 4-3 to CBR Brave before reversing the scoreline against the Ice Dogs 4-3 at Macquarie Ice Rink.

The Australian Ice Hockey League defending champions beat the Ice Dogs without key forward Zane Jones, who was injured in the second period of their loss in Canberra.

The split results left the Northstars in fourth place on 10 points after two wins and an overtime victory in eight games.

They are level with the Thunder and one point adrift of the Brave and Melbourne Ice (both 11), although the Ice have played only four games and the Brave six.

The Ice Dogs are fifth with nine points.

Both matches this weekend start at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, Warners Bay at 5pm.

Brian Bales and former Northstar Jan Safar put the Brave 2-0 up in the first period on May 13 before Felix-Antoine Poulin pulled one back.

CBR went 3-1 ahead before Poulin and Steven Kuhn tied up the game, but another former Northstars import, Geordie Wudrick, scored a disputed winner in the last minute.

A double from Matt Marantz and goals to Harcharik and Mat Lindsay gave Newcastle a 4-1 lead over the Ice Dogs before the home side fought back to 4-3.