FOCUS forward has become the motto of the Newcastle North Stars as the ice hockey team prepares for two games this weekend following its third consecutive loss last Saturday.
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In Sydney on Saturday, May 3, the North Stars lost 3-1 against the energetic home side, the Bears.
It was the second loss to the Bears this year and the third consecutive game from which the North Stars walked away with no points, from four games this season.
"I'm not too worried," North Stars coach Garry Dore said.
"We've had a few years where we've had false starts."
Dore said of Saturday's game the North Stars put the Bears under a lot of pressure but "couldn't make it happen" when it came to scoring.
"We had a couple of great opportunities early in the game," he said.
"The Bears' goaltender made some dynamic saves right at the time that was advantageous for his team.
"The effort [from the North Stars] was certainly there."
North Stars defenceman John F. Kennedy, assisted by Mat Lindsay and Chris Wilson, racked up Newcastle's lone, third-period goal on Saturday.
The Bears were able to score one goal in each period against Newcastle import goaltender Harrison May.
May faced 43 shots throughout Saturday's game.
The Bears' net-minder, Daniel Palmkvist, faced 32 shots to concede one goal.
The loss has seen the North Stars fall to third last in the Australian Ice Hockey League standings to sit one place above 2013 champions the Sydney Ice Dogs, who have played one more game than Newcastle.
The North Stars will face the Ice Dogs in Liverpool on Saturday.
The fierce rivals last faced each other in the 2013 grand-final.
On Sunday the North Stars will face the CBR Brave at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.