NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – Newcastle North Stars travelled to the Liverpool Catholic Club to take on Sydney Ice Dogs.
Widely tipped to do well this season due to their good imported line up, the Ice Dogs have had a poor start to the season and currently languish at the bottom of the AIHL with just 5 points from their 12 games to date.
Things didn’t get much better as they welcome fellow New South Wales side Newcastle North Stars.
The North Stars were looking for their first regular time win, having clocked up five overtime wins so far as the hard working side advanced through the AIHL.
And it was the Stars who took the advantage early doors with Captain Rob Starke and American Peter Cartwright taking the Stars to a 2 zip lead early doors in the first period.
The Anchorage, Alaska native who had a very successful season with Gronigen Grizzlies in the Dutch league, scoring 80 points, would be the Stars man of the hour, netting a further two times for his hat trick and an un-catchable lead for the Stars.
The Ice Dogs did come back to hit two goals, but that would be all they would get for the evening with Gicu Oprea and Chris Belanger rounding out the scoring to ensure the North Stars took victory home.
A frustrated Ice Dogs showed where they can win is with the gloves off, with both Derek Campbell and Sean Oultram (Stars) picking up one week bans for fighting leaving the Ice Dogs without their AHL level player for the next two games.
After the game, Rob Starke and import Blair Tassone had to visit the dentist after suffering hits to the face during the game.
After his hat trick Peter Cartwright moves up to third in league scoring and top of the North Stars scoring, he trials Vlady Rubes of the Sydney Bears and Jason Baclig of the Melbourne Ice.
Meanwhile, Scott Stephenson and Derek Campbell are tied for the lead in scoring at the Ice Dogs on 9 points from 12 games.
Contact the writer: phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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