Newcastle Northstars rallied from a one-goal deficit with a two-goal third period to defeat the Central Coast Rhinos 3-2 in regulation. The win was sealed by a decisive final frame after the Rhinos had carried a lead through the middle stanza.
After a scoreless opening period, Central Coast took control in the second, outscoring Newcastle 2-1 to head into the third with a 2-1 edge. Newcastle answered emphatically, netting twice in the third while holding the Rhinos off the board to flip the game and close it out at 2-3.
The defining number was the third-period swing: Newcastle produced both of its regulation-winning goals in the last 20 minutes after managing just one through the first two periods. The comeback also underscored the Northstars' ability to adjust their forecheck when it mattered most.