Flames extinguished by on-fire Lightning
But Phantoms again see off bitter rivals
Table topping Guildford Flames were sent crashing to defeat for the third time this season by Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday.
Lightning, in superb form, twice fought back from going a goal behind before seizing the initiative with a pair of second period goals and then rounding off with a late strike from Andre Smulter.
But the city side's lack of luck against Peterborough Phantoms continued on Sunday when they went down 3-1 – the opposition's third goal being a controversial affair.
On Saturday Guildford stunned Lightning with a goal after 3mins 33secs when Lukas Smital supplied David Savage for a blueline rocket shot which eluded goalie Barry Hollyhead.
But the visitors hardly had time to celebrate before Lightning hit back almost straight form the following face-off – Nick Poole the provider for Gary Clarke to backstick the puck in past netminder Joe Watkins at 4mins 1sec.
Guildford then ran into penalty trouble with Rick Skene being called for hooking Matt Towalski in front of goal and Savage serving time for slashing Grant McPherson. But although they exerted considerable pressure Lighting were unable to capitalise.
Indeed it was Flames who retook the lead with Smital sending Taras Foremsky away for a one on with Hollyhead and netting at 15mins 31secs, shorthanded.
The lead again didn't last long as Poole's long pass from the defensive zone reached Clarke to round Watkins at 17mins 42secs, making it 2-2 at the first break.
Early in the second session the hosts found themselves two men short with both Clarke, for holding, and Greg Randall, for delaying the game, in the sin bin. But Flames were kept at bay as the home side returned to full strength without conceding.
Lightning's third goal at 28mins exactly was a well worked one with Clarke passing to Smulter and as the Finn fired in from distance the Brit went across the goal, possibly screening Watkins' view momentarily.
Sixty one seconds later it was 4-2 as Michael Wales won the puck on the blueline and quickly fed Matt Towalski in front of goal and he pushed the puck past Watkins.
Flames tried to step up the pressure in the third period and man of the match Hollyhead made some superb saves – including pulling the puck out of the air from a Smital effort before covering up a Foremsky blueline slapshot. He then made great stops from Savage and Ollie Bronnimann.
But it was Lightning who had the last laugh with Ales Parez, out on the left, feeding Smulter to go round Watkins and fire in at 57mins 41secs to make it 5-2.
On Sunday Lightning took the lead at Peterborough with a short-handed Adam Carr strike set up by Clarke on 8mins 49secs – while Lukas Zatopek was serving two minutes for hooking.
A couple or so minutes later former Phantom James Archer was given a total of 12 minutes in the penalty box for checking to the head of Andy Munroe.
Unfortunately the visitors were unable to add to their advantage as they went into the first break holding the one goal lead.
Phantoms got back in the game with promising young Brit netting the equaliser from Brent Gough's set up on 26mins 9secs.
Just under two minutes later – at 28mins 7secs – the same two players again combined to produce Phantoms' second goal – Peacock again the scorer.
There was no further score in the second session with Lightning having the advantage in terms of shots on goal.
Lightning were still in with a chance at the start of the third period but that hope was effectively killed with a questionable third goal from Joe Miller on 52mins 33secs – with some doubt as to whether the puck had crossed the goal-line before Hollyhead retried it.
It was a bitter blow from which Lightning were unable to recover as their rivals claimed the spoils once again.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
