The Newcastle Northstars celebrated a brilliant start to the 2026 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) season at the weekend.
Thanks to back-to-back wins, they returned home with five, out of six possible points, to head the table.
At IceArena Adelaide on Saturday 18 April, Newcastle got off to a flyer, leading 2-0 after the first period.
The Northstars extended that margin to 4-1, before wrapping up the fixture 6-3 over the Adrenaline.
Wehebe Darge and Santeri Haarala both grabbed doubles.
A quick exit and flight to Victoria saw Newcastle face the Melbourne Ice on Sunday 19 April.
Following a hard-fought battle, the side prevailed 6-5 in overtime.
Import Haarala had a massive impact in his maiden outing as a Northstar, securing five goals and four assists for a nine-point weekend.
And, he received plenty of support.
Darge snared two goals and three assists, while Francis Drolet scored three, including the OT game-winner on Sunday.
He backed up with three assists, too.
Pat Nadin and Akihide Watanabe also netted.
Newcastle next faces the Canberra Brace at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April, from 5pm.
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