Three for Wales as Lightning take maximum points
Wightlink and Swindon beaten
In form Michael Wales hit three goals as Milton Keynes Lightning bagged maximum points from their English Premier League clashes with Wightlink Raiders and Swindon Wildcats at the weekend.
Wales smashed two goals in the 4-1 win at Ryde on Saturday and followed that up with one of the best goals he has ever scored to level for Lightning who won 4-2 after Swindon had taken a first period lead at Planet Ice the following day.
The hosts began at a blistering pace against Swindon but had nothing to show for their efforts before Joel Petkoff's behind the net pass was converted by John Wheaton on 13mins 10secs to put the Wiltshire side ahead.
Lightning had a great chance to equalise when Matt Towalski broke away, partnered by Grant McPherson, with 40 seconds of the first session remaining. However Wildcats goalie Ladi Kudrna cut out Towalski's pass.
The second period was just 4mins 18secs old when Lightning suffered a blow with Lukas Zatopek being given his marching orders for a high stick on Lee Richardson which drew blood. It was an unfortunate loss as the challenge looked innocuous.
But the dismissal only served to fire Lightning and Andre Smulter was denied by Kudrna going one on one before Nick Poole sent away Wales for a cracking shot high into the net at 26mins 28secs for a short-handed goal.
Ales Parez then won the puck on the left hand side and went solo, dribbling past Kudrna before netting on 30mins 12secs.
And just over four minutes later James Pease, playing his last game for Lightning, before retiring due to work commitments, set up goal number three. He was provider for Smulter to go up the right and this time beat Kudrna at 34mins 18secs.
By this stage Lightning were well in control and they all but sealed the win within 1min 16secs of the start of the final period when Smulter pass from the left was turned in by Poole at the right pipe.
Swindon looked increasingly disinterested as the game went on and even when Wales was given a two minute high stick penalty it was Lightning who had the best chance with Lewis Christie setting up Gary Clarke but his shot went wide.
It was youngster Jamie Hayes who set up a slightly tense final few minutes when his shot went past goalie Barry Hollyhead at 55mins 36secs.
However Lightning kept possession for most of the final minutes and eased to their second win of the weekend.
Lightning were again mostly in control at Wightlink and went ahead with a bizarre goal on 10mins 55secs – Chris McEwen's apparent dumping of the puck into the home defensive zone to allow a line change eluding netminder Kudrna and going into the goal.
Jason Coles scored at second attempt to equalise for Wightlink with 1min 19secs of the first period remaining.
In the second session Lightning were dominant and Wales fired through two defenders to score the second goal in the 28th minute.
Goal number three followed on 32mins 41secs through Gary Clarke.
The visitors wrapped up the points on 44mins 47secs when Wales connected with a long pass to shoot high over Kudrna to make it 4-1.
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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
