intouch Magazine
May 20, 2019
Newcastle Northstars 2 DEFEATED BY Melbourne Mustangs 3
The Newcastle Rescue Northstars' seven-game win streak was ended at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday, May 19 with the Melbourne Mustangs delivering the side's first defeat of the 2019 Australian Ice Hockey League season, 3-2.
The loss followed on from a 4-1 win against Melbourne Ice at HISS on Saturday, May 18. Northstars coach John F Kennedy Jr said Sunday's clash with Mustangs was "competitive". It was a 0-0 game up until the opening minute of the second period when the Mustangs scored.
Another from the Mustangs, with no answer from the Northstars, saw the visitors lead 0-2 going into the final period. The Northstars rallied in the third. Czech-born Northstars import Ondrej Smach scored to halve Melbourne's lead.
However, they were quick to fire back to make it a 3-1 game. A final goal from the Northstars, coming from import Sammy Banga, wrapped up the night. Smach played his final home game in Newcastle on Sunday.
He will travel with the team to Melbourne on May 25-26. Afterwards, he will fly home to pick up his commitments with professional teams in Europe.
The Northstars travel to Victoria to face Melbourne Mustangs on Saturday, May 25 and Melbourne Ice on May, 26.
For more information visit: northstars.theaihl.com
Photo credit: PowerPlay Photographics.