The Proski North Stars have returned from their Victorian road trip with the maximum 6 competition points, just one week after losing two games in NSW.
Their wins have jumped them from third to first in Australian Ice Hockey League standings with 15 competition points, 1 point ahead of the Sydney Ice Dogs.
Coach/GM Garry Doré was effusive in his praise following the Sunday night game, after the North Stars followed up their 4-2 win over the Mustangs with a 2-0 shutout of the highly-rated Melbourne ice.
Local forward Nick Quirk repaid Coach Garry Doré’s faith in promotion by scoring twice on Saturday vs the Mustangs
“Ultimately it was a great result.
“We had a game plan and it went out way.”
Short two top four defenceman and his sharp-shooting import Pier Cotnoir, Doré’s substitutions successfully countered the disadvantage.
Promoted local players Nick Quirk and Matt Wetini both featured in the team’s success, Quirk scoring twice on Saturday.
Import centre Jeff Martens continued to be an outstanding asset for Newcastle, scoring two goals and dominating other teams at the faceoff dot.
Martens was one of several praised by Doré after the game.
“Jeff Martens had a great game, Dominic was real strong, JFK [John Kennedy Jr] was the backbone of the defensive corp, and Ray, Jaysen and Matt Lindsay supported the game plan.
“We worked so hard that Melbourne Ice didn’t have an answer – the plan paid off.
The greatest praise was reserved for goaltender Olivier Martin.
“Olivier was brilliant.
“Olivier backed up and had an outstanding shutout tonight.”
The North Stars return home to face the Adelaide Adrenaline next Saturday night at 5pm.
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