Canadian import Kelly Geoffrey broke the deadlock as the Brave pulled out a thrilling 5-4 victory against the Melbourne Mustangs at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre on Saturday night.

Brave captain Mark Rummukainen lauded his side for bouncing back from a disappointing trip to Perth last weekend where it failed to gain a point in either of the two games.

"After last weekend where we didn't come home with any points, to turn it around against the defending champs, at home, shows some true character," Rummukainen said.

"It shows we have some fight in us and that killer instinct a little bit and not lie down, that's the key thing.

"If we had lost tonight, even if it was close, that's three games straight and you start asking questions.

"So for the boys to stand up tonight and get the win is a great thing to see."

The Brave and the Mustangs couldn't be separated through the opening two periods, tied 1-1 at the first break and 2-2 going into the final 20 minutes.

The trend continued into the last stanza as the Mustangs refused to go away.

Geoffrey then rose to the occasion to flick the puck into the net to send the sold-out crowd into raptures.

The Brave will aim to make it back-to-back wins for the weekend against the Mustangs on Sunday at 5pm.