Big pairings characterised the line up for both teams - delivering plenty of action and quick-response goals. Tomas Lander #24, feeling the moment. Photo: Peter Podlaha. 

The Proski Newcastle Northstars opening round of the 2018 season against Sydney Ice was set to be explosive and it delivered.

It took one goal in a shootout to separate the two teams at Macquarie Ice Rink on Saturday, which saw the Northstars lose to the Ice Dogs 4-3.

With five players - captain Bert Malloy, alternate captain Mat Lindsay, Richard Tesarik, Rob Haselhurst and goaltender Charlie Smart - out of the country for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, the Northstars faced an uphill battle before going into Saturday's highly anticipated game.

But in a welcome change to seasons past, the Northstars had the opportunity to play with all four of its imports this season - Joe Harcharik, Tomas Landa, Nick Rivait and Sam Lawson.

Dave Ferrari stepped up as captain of the team on Saturday and, joining Matt Wetini as alternate captain, Zane Jones wore the A.

“The coaches just kind of announced it before the start of the game," Ferrari said.

"Not really a whole lot changed, we are both kind of try to lead vocally and by example.

“We try to keep the boys up before the game and in between periods, so maybe a little bit more talking but nothing changed."

With a slow start to the game, the action ramped up in the second period with the Ice Dogs' Strat Allen first on the scoreboard.

Jones didn’t leave this unanswered and followed suit putting the Northstars on the board, levelling the score.

It was the theme of the night. The Ice Dogs would score but quickly behind that came one from Newcastle.

The Ice Dogs hounded Dayne Davis in goals, with the returning goaltender coming up big for the Northstars all game.

With three minutes left in the second period, the Northstars' new import Sam Lawson boarded Ice Dogs player Grant Toulmin behind their goal.

Tension between the two teams that had been building all game spilled over and Lawson and Ice Dog Shannen McGregor dropped their gloves to fight it out.

Boiling point: Shannen McGreggor (Ice Dogs) and Sam Lawson (Northstars) square off in a heated exchange. Photo: Peter Podlaha.

This lead to Lawson being ejected from his first AIHL game and McGregor sitting a two minute roughing penalty. Ferrari sat Lawson's major penalty. The energy in the stadium was electric and set the scene for the third period.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams scoring twice taking it to a 3-3 game. But, regulation time was not enough to decide the game and it went to a shootout.

After three unsuccessful attempts in finding the back of Newcastle's net, the Ice Dogs scored. However, a final shot on goal by Rivait to keep Newcastle alive in the shootout was unsuccessful and saw the Ice Dogs claim the win.

“I think we out chanced them, and probably deserved the three points," Ferrari said.

"Shootouts are always a coin flip, its all in the ice and can always go either way."

The Northstars have their first home game on Saturday, April 28 against CBR Brave. Make sure you grab your tickets and get in early to cheer on the boys for their first 2018 home game.