NEWCASTLE – Richard Tesarik scored two points, while Robert Haselhurst and Liam Manwarring earned two points each as the Newcastle Northstars beat the Melbourne Mustangs in a shoot-out 6-5 at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Saturday evening.
Richard Tesarik scored at 2:06 of the first period, assisted by Zane Jones. Tesarik’s assist came at 10:49 of the second period on Timothy Stanger’s goal. Jones picked up another assist on the same goal.
Robert Haselhurst and Liam Manwarring scored one goal and one assist for two points each, while Patrick Nadin got two assists for two points.
Benjamin Davies scored two goals for the Mustangs. The first goal for Davies was scored at 8:34 of the first period, with Michael McDowell getting the assist. Davies scored his second goal at 11:27 of the second period, with Vadim Virjassov and Nikita Kolesnikovs picking up the assists.
Brett Ferguson also scored two goals for Melbourne. The first goal for Ferguson was scored at 7:23 of the third period, with Paul Lazzarotto getting the assist. Ferguson’s second goal came at 2:52 of the third period unassisted, and forced the game to a shoot-out.
Nikita Kolesnikovs got two assists for two points in his first AIHL game.
Dayne Davis was the winning goalie for Newcastle Northstars, making 17 saves on 22 shots, for a Save Percentage of 0.773. Petri Pitkänen was the losing goalie for Melbourne Mustangs, making 37 saves on 42 shots, for a Save Percentage of 0.881.