Thunder 3 - Northstars 7

The CD Dodd Perth Thunder have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of a top-two finish as they succumbed to the Newcastle Northstars 7-3 on Sunday night.

Seven different players recorded a point for the Thunder, while Nico Viksten had a bust night, making 36 saves on 43 shots.

The Northstars got to an early lead with their first goal just five minutes in, before Keven Veilleux leveled the scores with his team-leading 18th goal of the season just two minutes later.

The period was hotly contested before the Northstars broke the scoreboard open with two goals in the final three minutes of the period.

The Northstars stretched the lead to 4-1 early in the second period, before Rob Haselhurst brought the Thunder roaring back in to the game, recording a goal on Jake Ruck’s second assist of the season.

Andrew Cox scored shortly after on a Shaun Tobin assist to bring the score to 4-3, but the Northstars were able to restore a two-goal advantage just minutes later, and would end the period with a 5-3 lead.

Penalty trouble proved to be costly throughout the night for the Thunder, with the Northstars’ special teams recording another two goals in the third period to help them skate away with an emphatic 7-3 victory.

The Thunder return to Perth Ice Arena next weekend to battle the Melbourne Ice in a standalone fixture on Sunday, August 11. Get your tickets here.