An impressive performance by new import Josh Adkins wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Newcastle Northstars at the weekend.
Despite a strong start to Saturday’s encounter, the local outfit dropped its Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) showdown to the Canberra Braves 4-3, fighting all the way until the final siren.
Adams’ first goal in the competition gave the Northstars a narrow 1-0 lead at the end of the opening term.
But, the two combatants went to the next break locked at 2-all.
While Patrick Nadin collected Newcastle’s second, Canberra’s Matthew Harvey evened things up with a double of his own.
That set the scene for a thrilling last period.
And, even though Zane Jones got on the scoreboard for the Northstars, successful shots by Felix Plouffie and Kai Miettinen allowed the hosts to sneak home by the barest of margins.
Another individual highlight was recorded by popular Newcastle player Francis Drolet, who registered his 100th AIHL point.
Northstars head coach Kevin Noble admitted the Hunter-based side might rue the close loss.
“I thought we looked like a team that was hoping it would just happen for us [tonight],” he said.
“That we would show up and it would go our way and be an easy night, but we are not a side that can play that way.
“We began the game with some good shifts and played the way we needed to.
“However, there were then long stretches where we weren’t as good.
“We were out of sync and we weren’t connected.”
Noble said the Northstars would learn from that defeat.
“We had to work hard in long stretches, competing against them and our battles needed more urgency,” he explained.
“There were many moments when we gifted them with mistakes that they capitalised on.
“We played well at the start of the first period and in the last five-six minutes of the third term.
“But, it was too late at that point.
“We suffered as we weren’t clinical and didn’t execute when we had chances on the powerplay.
“And, when we have those opportunities to score, we have to take advantage and capitalise on them.”
Noble said the Northstars would now turn their attention to the Central Coast Rhinos when they meet at Warners Bay on Sunday afternoon (5 May).
“It will be good to get home and be in front of our fans,” he added.
“We haven’t played there for a while… and we have a lot of work to do; and I will be expecting a lot better.
“We have to coach better, play better and get more saves.
“These are the three areas we need to be better at.”
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