By UIHC Guest Reporter LUCAS MILES

Rivalry has always been a big part of hockey. During the earliest days of the sport, the National Hockey League was limited strictly to Central Canada, and all cities in the league were in close proximity, making for bitter rivalries all around.

Fast forward a hundred years or so, and this passion and hatred that stemmed from cultural and geographical oppositions has become a huge part of what makes hockey what it is today.

In Western Australia, rivalry has forged its borders between the north and south. A bitter feud which developed in the AFL over many years has now drawn up its battle lines on the ice.

The first game saw the North take a commanding lead in the series, with an impressive performance from Defenseman Daniel Goransson on the night with two goals and an assist.

A physical game quickly saw these two teams begin to sink in to what will be a bitter series between the two cross town rivals.

With both squads harbouring big physical defenseman, as well as a host of quick forwards who are willing to battle on the fore-check to win pucks down low, the series has the potential to see the animosity between these two teams begin to grow as they head into the second and third games.

A stellar performance from northern goaltender Dan Wilkinson gave his team the opportunity to take the series lead 2-0, and win it this Saturday in game 2.

Despite trailing by a game, their southern rivals will surely be looking to step it up in the second game to keep the series alive heading into the final instalment.

The suns however will need to find their offensive feet if they are to stand up to the stars forward lines, which have shown a lot of speed through the neutral zone in Game 1.

Game 2 will be played at Xtreme Ice Arena in Mirrabooka this Saturday the 24th where the North will look to seal the series with a second straight win.