Northstars Split Weekend Series with Brisbane Lightning

Image: Jason Boland

WORDS: Courtney Kynaston | Newcastle Northstars

After a narrow 4-3 win against Central Coast Rhinos in their last home game, the Northstars headed to Brisbane Lightning’s Home Ice for a weekend full of excitement as they split the points across two games.

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On Saturday night, Brisbane defeated our Newcastle Northstars 5-4 in overtime, and on Sunday night, Newcastle Northstars bounced back defeating Brisbane 5- 1 to bring home four out of six possible points.

This intra-conference battle was important for both teams, with Newcastle wanting to stay at the top of the Rurak conference and Brisbane Lighting fighting to maintain a playoff position in second or third.

On Saturday night, two goals scored by Ethan Hawes in the third period, including one scored with 26 seconds left in regulation, took the game to overtime, where Brisbane would score and win the first game.

On Sunday night, Newcastle came out fighting from the puck drop, with Daniel Berno putting the visitors ahead 1-0 at the first intermission.

Brisbane scored early in the second period, and with a goal from Beau Taylor, Newcastle would go to the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Goals from Beau Taylor, Drew Robson (his first as a Northstar) and Alexander Yuill in the third period would seal the 5-1 victory.

“There are a lot of positives, tonight was a big response after a crushing defeat in OT last night. It’s always tough to come in and battle back, and it’s a tough fight, so the guys bounced back, and all the lines played well systematically, and our powerplay was really clicking tonight,” said Assistant Captain Francis Drolet.

“I think the momentum we now have has the group feeling good. We’re sticking to the game plan, and it’s been good.”

The Northstars will be in Canberra on Saturday, 29 June, vs Canberra Brave and will return home on Sunday, 30 June, vs Brisbane Lightning. For tickets visit https://northstars.thundertix.com.