Canberra Brave outlasted the Melbourne Mustangs 4-5 in overtime after nearly letting a three-goal lead slip away. The Brave controlled the first 40 minutes, building a 0-3 cushion before the Mustangs stormed back in the third.
Period scoring told the story: Canberra won the first 0-1 and second 0-2, then Melbourne erupted for four goals in the third to level the game at 4-4. The Brave responded in the extra session, scoring once to secure the road result and both points.
The defining number was Melbourne’s four-goal third period, erasing a 0-3 deficit and forcing overtime. Canberra’s resilience in the extra frame made the difference, but the Mustangs’ comeback kept the final score far tighter than the opening two periods suggested.