Newcastle Northstars coach John Kennedy Jr was glowing in his praise for his side following a rousing win against Sydney Bears on Sunday.
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The Northstars travelled to Sydney down on two imports and trailed the Bears for much of the game but in the end found a way to win 3-2.
"We played by far our best game as a team," Kennedy said. "I'm absolutely proud of the effort the boys showed and the consistency throughout the three periods.
"If we keep going like that I'm confident that this is a winning team."
The Bears, hosting the Northstars at Macquarie Ice Rink, came out of the gates strong and gained a goal less than one minute into the game.
Much like their first meeting of the 2019 season in Newcastle on April 27, the Bears led for much of the game but lost steam towards the end, opening the gates to the Northstars to gain the upper hand to win by one goal.
The Bears led 1-0 after the first period of Sunday's game. A goal from Northstars import Francis Drolet five minutes into the second period put Newcastle on equal footing.
Another Bears goal with just one minute and 30 seconds left in the period saw the home team pull out to 2-1 leaders. Drolet, with another goal, equalised the game again in the third period.
"In a one-goal game you're looking for the equaliser as soon as possible," Kennedy said.
"When we were able to get it, I think that gave the boys a boost. Once we were able to bury that second puck it kind of sparked that belief 'we got this' and it rolled from there."
Newcastle local Liam Manwarring, assisted by Drolet, came through for the Northstars with a goal in the third period that put them in the lead for the first time all game.
It would be the game-winning goal, with the Bears unable to sneak another past Northstars goaltender Dayne Davis.
Sunday's Northstars roster was bolstered with Queensland defenceman Thomas Kiliwnik.
The Northstars are awaiting the arrival of new imports Trey Phillips and Luke Simpson to replace Ondrej Smach and Dominik Gabaj. The pair are due to arrive in Newcastle on Thursday
Sunday's game in Sydney was the Northstars' first one-game weekend since the start of the season. The win was the Northstars 10th from 11 games.
The Northstars' next game is at Hunter Ice Skating Stadiums versus Sydney Ice Dogs on Sunday, June 9.
