Newcastle captain Bert Malloy feels like the Northstars are "back playing with confidence" as the joint Australian Ice Hockey League leaders approach the second half of the season.
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The six-time national champions, who last won titles in back-to-back campaigns in 2015 and 2016, have dropped just the one game in the opening 12 rounds.
The Northstars sit alongside the Canberra Brave, who they host in a top-of-the-table clash on June 22.
"We're back playing with confidence," Malloy said.
"If we get to the third [period] and it's tied or we're down, we have the confidence that we can get it done.
"It's been a fresh start with JKJ [John Kennedy jnr] coaching and all of our imports are the right guys.
"Practice has been good, everyone has bought into their role and the goal tending has been outstanding.
"We have just been clicking."
Malloy, a 32-year-old US native who lives at Terrigal, is playing his fifth season with the Northstars.
"We know it's a good start, but a good start is nothing without a good finish," he said.
There's a competition-wide bye this weekend with Malloy and Newcastle teammates Shane Southwood, Sammy Banga and Francis Drolet playing in the annual all stars fixture, which doubles as a curtain raiser for the US v Canada clash in Sydney on Saturday.
The Northstars quartet will represent "north" with players from Canberra and both Sydney clubs. The "south" side will consist of players from the two Melbourne outfits, Adelaide and Perth.
"I think I'm 0-4 and so far, so I'm probably due for one to come my way," Malloy said.
