PENRITH -- Last night, the Newcastle Northstars travelled to Sydney to meet with the Sting for the first time in 2014. A close and hard fought battle ensued from the first face off, but it was Sting who would eventually take the 2 competition points away on the night, with a 5-3 win.
Historically, both teams have enjoyed a healthy rivalry with each other, and the physical tone of the game was set early, with the Northstars making a point of finishing their checks at every opportunity. Jaroslav Murgas and Moey Elseiman were determined to even the body contact stakes, both dishing out some heavy hits of their own.
It was Newcastle who started the scoring early in the first period, capitalising on a poor error by veteran defenseman Marty Kolos who has been out of competition for the last 4 weeks. With 14 seconds remaining in the first period, Sting went on the Power Play, and when play re-started in the second period, Lukas Manco would complete some very neat passing by Sting’s number 1 special teams unit.
Sting would go on to score two unanswered goals, courtesy of Murgas and Martin Snajdr. But then Sting’s energy level fell into a slump towards the end of the second period, which allowed the Northstars to score two goals (including one Power Play goal), sending both teams into the break with a 3-3 tie.
As the third period began, it was clear that Newcastle was motivated to make their long journey south worthwhile, but when Cisco slammed the door shut on what appeared to be a sure goal for the visiting team, their spirits were dashed. The Sting maintained its composure and continued to apply pressure through simple and effective play. Eventually their efforts would be rewarded when Yanni Bejcek found a gap low down on the right side of Newcastle's tender, to give Sting a tentative 4-3 lead.
To make certain of the outcome, Snajdr completed a brilliant solo effort down the left wing to deliver what would be the final score line of 5-3.
In the final game before taking leave for the next four games, Cisco was awarded Woz’s Worker’s Hat in recognition of his immense focus throughout a challenging three periods of hockey against the team who won the ECSL Championship in 2012.
Next week the Sting match up against the team which they defeated in the 2013 ECSL grand final series, the Heat. The puck drops at 6.30pm on Saturday 3rd May at Canterbury Ice Rink. See you all there.
