Newcastle Northstars rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat Sydney Bears 8-5 in regulation. The away side controlled the final two periods, erasing Sydney’s early edge with a five-goal third period.
Sydney produced a 3-0 first period, but Newcastle answered in the second, taking that frame 3-2 to make it 5-3. The Northstars then put the game away with five unanswered goals in the third, finishing with an 8-5 final.
Newcastle’s five-goal third period was the decisive number, as Sydney was held scoreless in the final frame. The regulation result gave the Northstars the win without needing overtime.