Lightning escape from jail with penalty shot win
Tigers tamed after poor start
Milton Keynes Lightning played their get of jail card as they came back from staring defeat in the face to beat Telford Tigers on penalty goals after overtime yesterday, Thursday.
The home side looked lethargic during the first half or so of the game before an attendance undoubtedly reduced by the snowy conditions outside. And those Lightning fans who made the effort to turn out must have been wondering early on why they bothered.
It was only a spirited fightback in the latter stages that got Lightning back on terms to send the game into a goalless overtime.
Player coach Nick Poole probably had nightmares over the error he made which led to Telford's first goal on 2mins 6secs. Poole dallied too long with the puck and was robbed by Marek Hornak who was able to race up the ice, with the defence out of position, to beat goalie Barry Hollyhead.
Ironically it was Telford's first real attack of the game and they didn't really step up the pressure after that, instead preferring to keep things tight at the back and take their chances when they came.
That Ashley Calvert was able to net from one only five other shots Tigers had on goal in the first period probably said more about Lightning's sloppiness than the visitors' prowess in front of goal.
The goal after 8mins 18secs was the only other score of the first period and indeed it was not until 36mins 56secs that the hosts were able to reduce the deficit when Joakim Wiklander's behind the net pass was smashed first time into the net by Adam Carr.
By that time both sides had enjoyed spells on the powerplay without showing any real cutting edge – indeed Telford did not seem to be putting much effort into their spells with the extra man.
Lightning finally stepped up the gas in the final period and they finally levelled on 46mins 50secs when Michael Wales was the provider for Andre Smulter's lifted shot past goalie Davey Lawrence.
But Telford were not finished yet and James Knight was sent away by Stuart Bates with Gary Clarke in pursuit. Unfortunately Clarke lost the chase and Knight fired home on 50mins 36secs to put Telford back in front.
The lead lasted only just over a minute as, with Hornak in the sin bin for tripping, Carr took possession on the powerplay and weaved his way past two Telford men before blasting into the right of Lawrence at 51mins 47secs.
With no further regulation time goals the match went into the five minutes extra period which again failed to separate the sides.
So it was down to penalties with Carr's saved before Hornak shot wide and high. Smulter and Tigers' Tom Carlon scored before Wiklander registered only for Knight's effort to be saved – giving Lightning a rare penalty shoot out win.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
