With just one weekend left in the 2019 Australian Ice Hockey League season, The Star asked sports photographer Rhys Lavender to pick some of the favourite photos he has taken of the Newcastle Northstars this year and tell us why the were his top shots.
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Lavender has been right there with the Northstars for the past three seasons taking photos through the wins and losses, the highs and lows, shooting frame after frame to capture the emotion, effort and stories that are played out on the ice.
The Lake Macquarie-based photographer, known as PowerPlay Photographics, will be right there with the Northstars when they charge into the AIHL finals in Newcastle this weekend.
"It was hard to narrow down so many images from over the season to just a simple few," Lavender said.
"Ultimately, I chose these images as they best represent how I approach shooting any game, which is to tell a story.
"Each image in this series tells a small story of its own as well as contributing to the greater narrative of the game.
"There is so much that happens both on and off the ice every game, and it is my aim every week to help the fans get a little insight into those details."
Here are Lavender's favourite shots of the 2019 season, and why he picked them:
1. Coach Ray Sheffield sharpening an Adelaide Adrenaline player's skates before the game. Everyone contributes on multiple levels to ensure games run as smoothly as possible, coupled with the perfect light, I couldn't resist picking this photo.
2 and 3. Richard Tesarik committing everything in a game against CBR Brave (top) and Luke Simpson making his mark during his first game for the Newcastle Northtars (below). The action and emotion captured in these photos made them on-ice favourites for the season.
4. Coach JFK protesting a call. This was a photo I had to run the length of the ice to capture. As soon as I saw the coach call the referee over, I could see the image forming and did not want to miss it. I think the image speaks for itself as to why it is a favourite.
5. The Northstars celebrate a goal during an away game against the Ice Dogs. This image was chosen as it perfectly captures the comradery between the players. The players come from a multitude of different backgrounds and countries, but on the ice they are Northstars.
6. Francis Drolet makes a break away as Perth Thunder crumble in the background. When shooting hockey I try to include as much context as possible for the viewer. The photo could have just been another shot of a player skating up the ice, but with the added context of the bench, the falling player and the fans, suddenly the photo tells a story.
7. Hamish Powell and David Ferrari punishing the Perth Thunder. This one makes the list for the facial expressions alone.
8. Sammy Banga celebrates a potentially game defining goal against the Melbourne Mustangs. Big goals deserve big celebrations and Sammy Bang a delivers on both for my last favourite pic of 2019.
After missing out on the AIHL Finals last year, the Northstars have worked hard this season under the direction of new coach John Kennedy Jr to finish the regular season in second place and earn a shot at claiming the championship.
The Northstars face Perth Thunder in semi-final two on Saturday, August 31 from 7pm. Semi-final one will be played between defencing AIHL champions CBR Brave and Sydney Bears at 3pm on Saturday.
Winners from the semi-finals go one to face each other on Sunday in the championship game.
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