The Newcastle North Stars came from two goals down early to claim a close 3-2 win over the Adelaide Adrenaline at IceArena on Saturday night.

It was a big match for both sides with the North Stars seeking to consolidate its position in second on the ladder while the Adrenaline were fighting to stay in touch with the top four with 10 games still to play in 2016.

It was also the return of Josh Harding for the Adrenaline to the ice, who was playing his 249^th game.

However, after having a hand in all three North Stars goals, it was Connor McLaughlin that was celebrating at the end of the match, tallying his 50^th point of the season in Patrick Nadin’s game winning goal early in the third.

It was a determined Adrenaline that hit the ice scoring early through Josef Rezek on the powerplay before Cole MacMillan doubled the advantage.

However, as the North Stars began to gain the ascendency, they were able to level the score through a Josh Harris power play and goal from Captain Robert Malloy, scoring just over a minute apart to head to the first break locked at 2-all.

The North Stars were putting plenty of pressure on Adrenaline, outshooting Adelaide 13-8 in the first and 11-6 in the scoreless second with Peter King performing admirably for the home side.

Returning for the third period, the North Stars quickly broke the deadlock through Nadin on the power play just over two minutes into the period.

While they pushed hard, the Adrenaline were unable to get on the board in the third and the visiting North Stars held on to take another close game against the Adrenaline in Adelaide, as has been the trend over the past four seasons.

Next week, the Adrenaline travel to Canberra to take on the Brave in a double header while the North Stars take the week off before battling the Sydney Bears the following Saturday.