The Newcastle Northstars will take some winning form into the 2022 AIHL season after defeating the Sydney Bears 7-6 in a home exhibition game on Saturday night.

In his debut, Cameron Hughes scored a goal in the second and third periods to help the hosts seal the victory.

“I never thought this experience would ever happen,” he reflected.

“It’s pretty good to get two goals on my debut.

“I was pretty nervous but the boys got around me, and calmed me down and it felt like a normal game.”

Coach Amelia Matheson also praised Hughes.

“I’m so proud,” she said.

“He barely shows emotion.

“Inside I think he’s exploding but he’s quite shy and didn’t even smile when I handed him his first puck.

“As a coach, the thrill it gives me in that moment of celebration is so rewarding to see (the work we do) pay-off.”

The Northstars took control of the showdown early, dominating possession throughout the game, but began to struggle with three penalties to kill in the first period.

It was the Bears who took advantage and capitalised on this opportunity with Gordon Kean putting them on the board and giving them the lead.

The Northstars came out in period two with three goals in three minutes, pulling them ahead to a 3-1 lead, including one powerplay goal.

Capitalising on this mistake by the Bears, Newcastle lifted, and with them, the energy in the crowd.

Sydney started losing its composure throughout the middle of the second period, as the physicality picked up and a few fists thrown.

While both teams were moving the puck end-to-end it was the Bears’ Tom Moncrieff, who put the next points on the board closing the gap back within one.

Energy and play began to lift again and both sides met each other in the neutral zone with a number of turn overs before another penalty kill for the Northstars, who were able to maintain possession and keep the Bears out.

Suffering another penalty, Newcastle went into a 3v5 penalty kill against the Bears and stood strong.

With the penalties ending, and transitioning to a power play, Ethan Hawes gave the home team a 4-2 lead before Xander Wardlaw brought it back within one to finish the second period 4-3.

Period three brought a flurry of goals with Hughes’ second lifting the energy of both the home team and the crowd.

Pressure on the visiting Bears saw the Northstars edge ahead to a 5-3 lead, answered by Scott Clemie.

Daniel Berno scored his second of the night cementing the home team’s seven points.

However, it wasn’t over for the Sydneysiders.

They showed no signs of giving up and it was fast precision hockey right to the end.

Both teams suffered penalties and a loss of players from overwhelming passion and fire in the game, with a few punches thrown around.

The Bears responded with two goals late in the period but it was the Northstars who took the victory 7-6.

“The win feels great,” Matheson said.

“The guys kept it together, especially in the chaotic times.

“For the most part we reset and the composure was really good for the guys”

Reflecting on Ethan Spelde’s first game as starting goalkeeper, she shared: “There were some big shots and he took them easily and with a lot of confidence, which was exactly what he needed to do.

“He kept composed and having his head in the game meant he played that way, too.

“Some of the goals were out of his control, like those back door shots, they’re hard for anyone, very proud to see him do so well.”

The Northstars face the Bears at the Macquarie Ice Rink for the second of the two exhibition games on 23 April.

Newcastle begins its 2022 AIHL season in earnest on Saturday 30 April at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.

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