The Melbourne Mustangs defeated the Brisbane Lightning 8 3 in regulation, fueled by a dominant four-goal second period that blew the game open. The home side never trailed, establishing a 3 2 lead by the first intermission and never looking back.
Melbourne controlled the opening frame but the Lightning stayed within one. The second period proved decisive as the Mustangs poured in four goals to stretch the lead to 7 3, effectively ending the contest. A single Melbourne tally in the third closed out the 8 3 margin.
The eight-goal outburst was the story of the night, with Melbourne’s second-period surge serving as the clear turning point. Brisbane managed just one goal after the first period as the Mustangs tightened defensively and closed out regulation comfortably.