The Melbourne Ice overcame a tenacious Adelaide Adrenaline 5-4 in a shootout at Medibank Icehouse on Sunday afternoon.

After a closely fought match on Saturday, the Sunday edition was no different with the two evenly matched teams keeping the crowd on the edge of the seats.

The Ice wanted to bounce back after a tight 4-2 loss Saturday night, with Ice coach Brent Laver applauding his team’s execution.

“That was probably our greatest strength: we didn’t stop working all the way through,” Laver said.

Adrenaline coach, Ryan O’Handley, acknowledged both teams’ efforts in a tough match and was pleased to reach a shootout finale.

“Both teams played really, really well,” he said. “We were able to hold on and get a point. Obviously, you’d like to take two points in the shootout, but pretty pleased with the result overall.”

The Adrenaline found themselves a few men down from injuries this weekend with Darren Corstens, Ryan Remillard and Josh Harding absent. O’Handley praised the team’s efforts as they banded together to keep the Ice on their toes.

“We can run through lines with good speed. Our goaltending has been really solid,” he said. “The guys are doing a good job.”

Perth ex-pat, Charlie Smart, took the net for the Adrenaline, proving local talent can be a worthy investment.

O’Handley believes that signing the young goalie has been beneficial for both parties.

“We had an opportunity for Charlie to come over here and play for us,” O’Handley said. “He’s taking full advantage of that. Hats off to him. He’s helped us out a lot and he did really well again tonight.”

However, the match was not without controversy with the Ice denied two goals- one for a dislodged net, while the other was right on the second period buzzer.

Ice captain Lliam Webster fired the puck into the back of the net as time elapsed.

The referee’s initial decision to disallow the goal was quickly overturned and the Ice returned to their rooms celebrating their 4-3 lead.

This was short-lived as the officials consulted the rulebook, deeming the goal was in violation and, once again, waving off the goal.  

Brent Laver believes his team maintained a good attitude despite the disheartening, rollercoaster decision.

“The room was still really buoyant after we got the call the officials disallowed the goal,” Laver said.

O’Handley and Laver both recognise the importance of attitude in the sport with O’Handley also praising the power of confidence.

Confidence and resilience could be the deciding factors of a game when talent is so equally matched.

“In a league that’s so tight talent wise, on the night, whoever is able to really bring that attitude, that’s the thing that’ll get you over the line,” Laver said.

Although heading back to Adelaide with four points, O’Handley is wary of his side getting ahead of themselves as the season progresses.

“You’ve just got to win your next game,” O’Handley warns. “If you start watching the ladder, you’re going to end up looking up at everybody.”

Next week, the Ice head into another derby showdown against the Melbourne Mustangs while the Adrenaline will travel to Canberra to face the Brave at Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre.