Lightning’s title chances on thin ice
ANY hopes Lightning had of lifting the English Premier League title now seem to be a distant memory after a pointless weekend with defeats to leaders Guildford Flames and second in the table Manchester Phoenix.
Just a few short weeks ago the city outfit were hot on the heels of Flames, but a run of six defeats in seven games – the first of them at the hands of the Surrey side – has seen them slip to fifth place, with confidence seemingly at a season’s low point.
On Saturday night against Phoenix that lack of confidence was apparent with Lightning failing to produce enough decent shots on goal to give themselves a chance against a Manchester side that had only lost twice since Christmas.
Lightning’s recent run of results was just what they didn’t need going into the first leg of their English Premier League Cup semi final at Sheffield Steeldogs on Wednesday.
The second leg will be played at Planet Ice next Thursday, face off 7.30pm.
Ahead of that game, Lightning have the chance to get their league season back on track when Bracknell Bees are the visitors on Saturday at 7pm. Third from bottom Bees are the kind of side Lightning desperately need to beat – although they will be only too aware that the Berkshire outfit handed an overtime defeat to Phoenix only a couple of weeks ago.
Then on Sunday Lightning go to Basingstoke Bison, the scene of their last league victory when they won 2-0 last month.
The hosts had the first powerplay opportunity on Saturday against Manchester when Martin Cingel was penalised for hooking Tom Norton, but their only effort of note came from player coach Nick Poole.
And the visitors’ chances were restricted by Lightning’s penalty kill unit as Ross Green served time for tripping. Immediately after his return to the ice he was set up by Poole for a shot which was saved by goalie Stephen Fone.
The first period ended 0-0, but it didn’t take Phoenix long to go ahead in the middle session as Jaroslav Spelda’s long shot was redirected into the net by Stephen Wallace on 22mins 43secs while Adam Brittle was in the penalty box for boarding.
Lewis Christie had a good effort but the shot went wide of target and shortly after Blaz Emersic passed the puck back up the ice when he would have had a great opportunity had he turned and shot.
Juraj Faith made it 2-0 to Phoenix after 33mins 26secs after being sent away one on one with Hollyhead by Josh Ward.
Lightning had plenty of pressure but failed to produce enough shots on goal when on the powerplay in the 34th minute, before Tuomas Tikkanen came from behind the goal to go close with an effort which Fone blocked.
The third period was a bit of a non event with Lightning only firing in five shots on target and Manchester seven. Despite that the home fans had something to celebrate when Emersic supplied Leigh Jamieson to shoot high into the net on 52mins 7secs for the hosts’ only goal while they were short-handed.
But Manchester quickly made sure of the points 57secs later as former Lightning star James Archer slotted in at the left post to seal a 3-1 away win.
The city outfit put up a brave fight at the Spectrum Centre the next day but ultimately went down to two late goals in a 4-2 defeat.
Emersic’s shot early in the game hit the pipework before Flames were hit with two quick penalties, but unfortunately Lightning could not capitalise.
The Surrey team edged in front after 17mins 38secs when Milos Melicherik netted at second attempt – Hollyhead saving the first shot but spilling the puck.
There were two powerplay spells for Lightning early in the second session but they were unable to make anything of them. However, they did equalise at even strength when Jamieson was the provider for Emersic to score on 32mins 52secs – the second assist going to Tikkanen for his first point for the team.
But a third period penalty call on Michael Farn for hooking proved to be the opportunity for Flames to grab the decisive go ahead goal at 54mins 31secs – Nathan Rempel the scorer from David Longstaff.
Then with 50 seconds remaining Hollyhead was withdrawn for the extra skater and just four seconds from the buzzer Rick Plant added Flames’ fourth goal on the empty net to complete a miserable weekend for Lightning.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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