PENRITH ice hockey coach Vlad Rubes praised his team's penalty kill and pressure on the powerplay, along with great goaltending in last weekend's game.

``We were able to rotate and keep a high tempo going all game, controlling the puck and scoring on the powerplay,'' Rubes said.

With seven penalties against Melbourne and 11 against the Bears, the scoring opportunities built up during the game with the Ice leading the shot count 49-25.

The scoring started with the first of the Bears' three powerplay goals as Lauko poached a goal after a rebound off the net.

The second period was a showcase of hard, powerful hockey, with enough indiscretions for the referee to stop the game on several occasions.

The Bears scored early with a goal inside five minutes to Scott Townsend, firing into an empty net after Ice goaltender Stu Denman came out to play the puck but failed to clear it out of the zone. Melbourne had Lliam Webster receive a five-minute major penalty for elbowing Lauko in the face, knocking out his front tooth.

It took the Bears just 11 seconds to capitalise, with Eric Begin scoring from the blue line.

Melbourne's Greg Sturrock's penalty with 20 seconds to go in the second proved crucial as Begin scored his second on the night in the first minute of the third.

The Bears' penalty kill finally conceded a goal after more than 19 minutes of penalties and the 45th shot at Nick Boucher, Jason Baclig capping off good pressure to slot home from close range.

Forward Michal Lauko was the Habitat Furniture Man of the Match after scoring the first goal of the game and taking a late hit in the second period knocking out his front tooth. Michal didn't miss a shift and helped the Bears to their sixth win in a row.

Bears take on the Gold Coast Blue Tongues, Sunday, 5pm.