The Canberra Knights edged out the Newcastle Northstars 4-3 in a seesaw Australian Ice Hockey League game at the Hunter Ice-Skating Stadium last night.

“They played with a lot of heart,” said Knights assistant manager Andrew Deans. “They’ve earned the result”

The game began tentatively, and with both sides missing key players, the teams were content on using conservative dump and chase tactics, a move that saw the first period battle out into a scoreless tie.

The event came alive quickly in the second period though, the Northstars scoring on the power play two minutes in, when Gicu Oprea banged home the rebound off Robert Starke’s shot from the left point.

But Canberra wrestled control of the game soon after, with Trevor Ross breaking down the right wing to score before a Mike Silva goal put them in front.

With possession of the puck behind the net, the Knights’ Steven Deans sent a pass that caromed off a Newcastle skate into the path of Silva who scored from point blank range.

The Northstars would however tie it up before the period was over through Casey Minson who took a headman pass from Bob Lejeunesse and wristed over the glove of Knights netminder Dylan Smart. The second period ended two apiece.

Brendan Cole then regained the lead for the home side of three minutes into the final period, only for Canberra’s Matt Lehoczky to square it up once more.

Newcastle put the puck in the net again with 4:17 left in the game, but the goal was called off on a high-sticking penalty to Jordan Landry.

The subsequent power play produced the game winner for Canberra when David Batho made a short play from behind the goal line to Deans who squeezed the biscuit in at the near post.

The game nevertheless went right to the wire, with the Northstars pulling goalie Andrew McWilliams to set up a frantic final minute of six-on-four hockey while the Canberra’s Silva sat in the sin bin for roughing.

The Knights barely hung on, but succeeded in improving to 3-1 for the season. They now head back to the Phillip Ice House where they will open a three-game home stand against the Melbourne Ice on April 30.