Bears @ North Stars [3-0 Win]

Sydney Bears have shut out the Newcastle North Stars after beating the home team 3-0 at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday 3 July.

Both teams had played hard games the previous day with the Bears beating the Ice Dogs 5-4 and the North Stars winning 3-1 in Canberra against the CBR Brave.

In a first period with only a single penalty, Bears scored 2 goals without reply to lead 2-0 at the first intermission. Tomas Landa scored a solo effort goal 6 minutes into the period followed by a Nic Kawasaki goal at the latter stages of the period. 

Bears opened and closed the scoring with a Landa powerplay goal early in period 2. This would turn out to be the final goal of the game. For the second time of the weekend, goaltender Anthony Kimlin would be credited with a secondary assist. 

The North Stars have a lot of forward firepower which they fired at Kimlin and his team mates at regular intervals. Skill and teamwork kept the Bears net dry for the entire game despite several close moments. It would be Kimlin's first shutout as a Bear and the first Bears shutout of the season, saving all 38 shots.

Up and down the ice, the team really supported each other well at both ends of the stadium. In the most complete performance of the year, Bears remained rock solid and a deserving 3-0 win. It would also be the first weekend of the year that the team has won both matches in regulation time.

At the end of the weekend, Bears are in 5th place on the AIHL standings. Next weekend, Bears host Melbourne Mustangs (Saturday) and Adelaide Adrenaline (Sunday) at Penrith Ice Palace. 

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: Pic by Wulos