Lightning finish streaming series in style with win over Steeldogs

MK Lightning left the best until last as they chalked up a superb 5-3 victory in the final streaming series game at Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday.

Following the disappointment of the 6-2 defeat in the home encounter against Steeldogs the previous evening MK started the return leg without the services of the injured Tomas Kana plus Lewis Hook.

They then suffered a further blow when influential captain Russell Cowley was ejected on a five minutes plus game second period penalty for a high stick on Jason Hewitt – the contact with the face drawing blood. But that did not stop Lightning from upping their game during the final 20 minutes with younger players Callum Field and Hallden Barnes-Garner relishing the opportunity to show what they could do, given the extra ice time.

However the win was a personal triumph for Ross Venus – long-time Coventry Blaze player – who bagged a hat-trick, two strikes from breakaways.

Lightning went a goal behind after 10mins 49secs when Great Britain player Ben Lake beat goalie Brandon Stones. The visitors replied on 17mins 59secs when Liam Stewart registered.

A needle thread pass from defenceman Ben Russell found Venus who went one on one to defeat Dimitri Zimozdra for MK’s second goal at 22mins 59secs.

Steeldogs hit back on 25mins 28secs when Craig Elliott finished off from Smith, ahead of the incident that saw Cowley’s departure following his attempt to put off Hewitt bearing down on goal. The home side edged ahead on 34mins 40secs when Stan Lascek went round the net and shot to the far side of Stones.

Before the second session ended MK were back level thanks to Venus who took a great pass from David Clements and went solo to beat Zimozdra again four seconds from the break.

Venus was on the mark again 87 seconds into the final period but they had to wait until 3mins 3secs from the buzzer before Robin Kovar made it 5-3.

The previous night failure to make the most of their chances cost Lightning as Sheffield Steeldogs made it three wins from three games with a 6-2 result at Planet Ice.

Although Eddie Bebris put the home side ahead after 4mins 43secs before Steeldogs levelled in the 17th minute through Ben O’Connor.

True the margin of the victory probably flattered the travelling team but solid Sheffield defence prevented MK from having enough decent shots on goal to make a difference.

When Hallden Barnes-Garner was sin binned for roughing in the 24th minute Steeldogs capitalised on the powerplay through Alex Graham at 26mins 7secs.

Lightning fell foul of a new Covid ruling that coach Lewis Clifford knew nothing about as Bobby Chamberlain clashed with Ben Morgan. Chamberlain was given a 10 minute penalty for failing to disengage swiftly enough. The ruling was only explained to Clifford after the game.

Ben Lake to made it 3-1 to the visitors on 28mins 3secs and things became even worse for the hosts when again a ten minute penalty for roughing was handed out to Kana after he entangled with Craig Elliott.

The mountain for MK to climb became even steeper when Hewitt at last bagged a goal for himself after 35mins 12secs. There was a ray of hope though within the first two minutes of the third period as Bebris registered for the second time on 41mins 55secs.

Lightning, missing the injured Kana for most of the third session, tried in vain to narrow the gap further and any hopes they had were effectively ended when Jonathan Kirk beat goalie Jordan Lawday with a shot from inside the blue line after 51mins 3secs.

Steeldogs rounded off the win with a goal from Ralfs Circenis on 57mins 17secs.