Photo by Frank Kutsche

The Newcastle Rescue Northstars remain firmly fixed at the top of the 2019 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) ladder following two wins in Adelaide at the weekend to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

In their first road trip of the 2019 season, the Northstars travelled to South Australia at the weekend (May 11 and 12) to face Adelaide Adrenaline in a double header.

The Northstars proved to be a dominant force, coming away with two of the largest wins seen across the league this season so far.  

In Saturday's game against Adrenaline the Northstars won 10-3. In Sunday's game, the Northstars won 8-2.

Newcastle import Dominik Gabaj had a high scoring weekend. He scored four (4) goals in Saturday's game and three (3) goals in Sunday's game. The double hat trick – a rare feat in the AIHL - from Gabaj was a highlight of the weekend.

Another highlight was the long-awaited return of Tomas Landa to the Northstars team. Landa was registered as the Northstars' fifth import at the start of the season. However, the Czech-born Landa received his Australian permanent residency during the week and can now play as a local.

Due to injury and his residency status, Landa last played with the Northstars in August 2018. He netted a goal Saturday's clash with Adrenaline. On Sunday, he marked his 150th AIHL game.

The Newcastle Northstars will look to keep their winning streak rolling when they return home to Hunter Ice Skating Stadium to face Melbourne Ice on Saturday, May 18 and Melbourne Mustangs on Sunday, May 19.

Goal scorers in Saturday's game

Northstars: Dominik Gabaj (import) 4, Francis Drolet (import), Toma Landa, Ondrej Smach (import), Pat Nadin, Richie Tesarik, Mat Lindsay

Goal scorers in Sunday's game

Northstars: Dominik Gabaj (import) 3, Francis Drolet (import) 2, Sammy Banga (import), Richie Tesarik 2