Berno's HAT-TRICK-HEROICS power Northstars past the Ice Dogs

Images: Peter Poolaha

The Newcastle Northstars defeated the Sydney Ice Dogs 4-3 in regulation time at Macquarie Ice Rink over the weekend.

A quiet first period for both teams saw the momentum build in period two. Sydney Ice Dogs' Grant Toulmin with the first goal, with Newcastle Northstars' Daniel Berno responding 32 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1.

With 3 minutes remaining in the period, Francis Drolet found the back of the net to secure Northstar’s 2nd goal and take them to a 2-1 lead in the break.

The Ice Dogs, showing their competitive spirit, came out fighting at the start of the third period. Goals from Dmitri Kuleshov and Grant Toulmin put the home team ahead after trailing in the first two periods and setting the stage for an intense third-period battle.

Daniel Berno stepped up for the Northstars, scoring two unanswered goals, securing a hat trick, and giving the Northstars their first regulation win following some home losses last weekend.

“It’s nice to go ahead and put that together; it puts a little confidence on the team and for myself, and I felt like I was due,” said Daniel. “The team has put in a lot of work. We’ve buckled down hard this week and battled a lot. We drilled into our heads that we must get out there and perform every minute.”

“Berno got us going with that first goal and then got himself two more at the end of the game, which shifts the momentum in the team,” said Assistant Coach David Ferrari.

“The guys follow him,” Ferrari began about Berno’s hattrick. He’s a guy who really cares, and being on a losing streak doesn’t sit well with him, so he steps up, and the guys follow,” he added.

“We defended better as a team. Charlie played well, and with the new guys on defence, we have a different element in how we defend. Again, it was probably a little less entertaining, but it was a better defensive game, and our special teams continued to click and work together. If we can keep working on the special teams and being good defensively, it’s the recipe that’s going to have us get success at the end of the year.”

Circle Saturday, 18 May, on your calendars as the Northstars make their triumphant return to Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. They will be hosting the Brisbane Lightning in Newcastle for what is sure to be another exhilarating match. Don't miss out; secure your tickets at https://northstars.thundertix.com/.