Milton Keynes Lightning last week suffered the agony of an exit from the EPL cup contest, swiftly followed by the ecstacy of a deserved 6-3 win over Swindon Wildcats just 48 hours later.

On Thursday the Lightning faced an in-form Sheffield Steeldogs to decide who progressed to the EPL Cup Final next month.  Steeldogs held a 1-0 halfway advantage thanks to a late, late goal on their own ice in the semi-final first leg and on Thursday their coach Andre Payette did his best on the ice to wind up the Lightning and gee up his own players.  And whilst the hosts mostly refused to rise to his spoiling tactics, the visitors played a solid game and held on to their slender lead to take the first berth in the cup final, despite the best efforts of Nick Poole’s side who put in a resilient performance and were unlucky not to convert a host of chances to score. 

Defenceman Lewis Christie and forward Michael Wales both went close in the first period, but it was obvious from the off that Sheffield netminder Ben Bowns was in ominous form.  Barry Hollyhead, in nets for the hosts, had to deny Janis Ozolins the chance of a tap-in from a Pavel Gomeniuk blue line blast in the second period, and Adam Carr and Leigh Jamieson both tested GB U20 keeper Bowns before the final break.  Lightning kept up the pressure all through the final period but were unable to find a way past Bowns.   The home side lost Blaz Emersic when he retired with a cut face mid-way through the final period.  With 50 seconds remaining Hollyhead was withdrawn for the extra skater and Payette was sent to the penalty box, giving Lightning a 6-on-4 advantage, but to no avail – their night perhaps summed up when a shot hit the post with just seconds remaining.  The goalless result on Thursday was the first time in the 22 year history of the rink that a senior game has ended scoreless – and the fact that both netminders received their team’s Man of the Match award spoke volumes about why neither side found the back of the net.  Full time: MK Lightning 0 – 0 Sheffield Steeldogs  (Steeldogs win 1-0 on aggregate).  MK Man of the Match – Barry Hollyhead.

On Saturday, Lightning faced a visiting Swindon Wildcats side who were high on confidence after back to back victories over Basingstoke and Slough – but the home side were more than a match for them in a fast-moving and physical encounter.  The tone for the game was set with less than two minutes completed, when Nicky Watt and Grant McPherson dropped the gloves, but the result was a  5 on 4 advantage for the hosts as Watt was penalised for holding as well as the coincidental roughing penalty.  Swindon’s Lee Richardson scuffled with Lukas Zatopek and was penalised for high sticks, whilst the Czech sat out a roughing penalty for his retaliation, but it was whilst the two sides were 4 on 4 that Tuomas Tikkanen bagged his first goal for his new team, slotting home a superb shot supplied by Michael Farn and Leigh Jamieson.  But just 23 seconds later Swindon restored parity thanks to a goal from the ever-dangerous Aaron Nell.  With Lightning needing points to pull away from Basingstoke and climb back towards the top of the table and Swindon needing them to secure a place in the play-offs, the desire of both sides was obvious in a fast and very physical first period.  But it was the home side who went into the break happier, as Matt Towalski put his side back in front on 17m 46s supplied by fellow third-liners Grant McPherson and Michael Wales, to silence the doubters of recent weeks.

And that momentum carried on immediately after the restart with Tikkanen bagging his second of the night only 39 seconds after play resumed, when he connected with a pass from Nick Poole to fire home a peach of a slapshot from the blue line, that had the home fans raising the roof in celebration.  The third line continued to make an impression when Grant McPherson beat Swindon netminder Thomas Murdy with  a powerplay goal on 33m 46s, prompting Swindon to call a time-out to regroup – but to little effect, as the second period ended with Lightning 4-1 up.

Aaron Nell made his mark again just 56s into the final period whilst the visitors were short-handed, showing just how dangerous he can be, scoring unassisted to reduce the deficit to two.   But Lightning kept their cool and pushed on, Lukas Zatopek setting up Grant McPherson for his second of the evening at 52m 55s.  Nell was the supplier for Jonas Hoog to get one back for the Wildcats at 57m 27s, but less than two minutes later, Zatopek spotted that the visitors had withdrawn keeper Murdy, and took the opportunity to fire a long range shot into the empty net, sealing a 6-3 win and restoring much-needed confidence at the Thunderdome.  Full time: MK Lightning 6 – 3 Swindon Wildcats.  MK Man of the Match – Grant McPherson.

And there were more contrasts in fortunes on Sunday when Lightning faced an in-form Manchester Phoenix in Altrincham.  A nightmare opening nine minutes saw Nick Poole’s side concede three goals in quick succession, prompting an immediate time-out – which saw an eventual turnaround in form from the visitors, despite Manchester adding a fourth at the start of the second period.   Lightning’s  third line continued their efforts to silence their doubters when Michael Wales passed to Grant McPherson for his third goal of the weekend, and Tom Norton was the supplier when Tuomas Tikkanen pounced for what was also his third of the weekend, reducing the deficit to two  with six minutes left.  However in the dying seconds of the game, netminder Barry Hollyhead was withdrawn for an extra skater, but Martin Cingel pounced to score in the empty net, putting the result beyond doubt.  Full time: Manchester Phoenix 5 – 2 MK Lightning.  MK Man of the Match – Michael Farn.

ENDS

About the MK Lightning: Milton Keynes Lightning is the most successful ice hockey team in the English Premier League, having won the league title three times and the play-off title four times in their ten year history. Playing out of the Planet Ice arena in Milton Keynes, the Lightning celebrate their tenth anniversary in the 2011-12 season. The Lightning's roster includes a wealth of Team GB experience at U18, U20 and senior levels and is coached by Canadian Nick Poole - one of the most respected coaches in the EPL and an ever-present in the team since their formation.

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