Smulter hat-trick ensures win over Swindon
But Romford wreck weekend double hopes
Milton Keynes Lightning eased to a comfortable 5-1 against Swindon Wildcats after overcoming stubborn resistance form the Wiltshire side in the early stages at Planet Ice on Saturday.
But they were unable to repeat the success when they went down 3-1 at Romford Raiders the following day after falling behind to a Grant Taylor goal after just 31 seconds.
Swindon have recently strengthened their squad with the addition of sharp shooter import Josef Kohut so they promised to be tougher opposition than when Lightning beat them 7-2 on their last visit to Milton Keynes.
But once Lightning went in front with a powerplay goal after 17mins 15secs while Aaron Nell was serving time in the penalty box for hooking – Lukas Zatopek firing home from the blue line.
After the first break Lightning stepped up the pace and Wildcats found themselves on the defensive.
The pressure eventually told with Michael Wales and Adam Carr both going close to scoring before the hosts added to their tally. Nick Poole broke up the left with Andre Smulter following up the right.
Poole looked to pass to Smulter but instead shot high into the goal past goalie Ladislav Kudrna with 25mins 47secs gone to make it 2-0.
A couple of minutes later Lightning goalie Barry Hollyhead was unable to save a long range Lee Richardson shot as Swindon scored their only goal at 28mins 21secs.
Despite Swindon being pegged back Kohut was still able to test Hollyhead with two good efforts before Wales put Smulter away for a power drive which Kudrna got a hand to but could not prevent from going over the line at 35mins 54secs.
Matt Towalski was then forced to retire from the game after a shot by James Archer rebounded off a Swindon player into his face.
Smulter added his second of the game 37 seconds before the break when he beat Kudrna from close range.
Goal number five came on 48mins 17secs with Smulter completing a straight hat-trick with a goal from the right hand side.
On Sunday Lightning were soon on the backfoot with Taylor putting Romford ahead in the first minute.
It was not until 1min 39secs from the end of the second session that Wales was able to set up Poole to equalise.
However any hope of a last period fightback by Lightning started to disappear when Taylor turned provider for Mark Stewart at 51mins 51secs.
With the clock counting down Lightning withdrew Hollyhead for the extra skater and Darren Cotton ensured a Romford win with an empty net goal at 58mins 52secs to make it 3-1.
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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
