The Firebirds were without Laura Geitz who was sidelined with a back injury so Laura Clemesha took her spot at GK, pairing up with rising star Tara Hinchliffe.

Hinchliffe would prove to be valuable during the match as her defensive performance help stop the momentum of the Lightning attack.

Lightning, who have been dubbed the little sisters of the Firebirds, took the only win in the last encounter in 2017.

The Firebirds started strongly taking an early 5-2 but Lightning shooting pair Caitlin Bassett and Steph Wood shooting at 100 percent, Sunshine Coast stole back momentum and led 15-11 at quarter time.

The Firebirds turned it around in the second to take a seven-goal advantage into halftime.

From there, the last two quarters were heart pumping action as the Lightning clawed their way back into the match for a tight final quarter which saw it going goal for goal. 

"Both teams put on a great performance, it was really hard and tough but I'm really proud we continued to fight," coach Roselee Jencke said.

"There is always something to work on especially when we have the Vixens coming up but it's going to be another close one and a tough one," she added.