NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 07/04/2010 09:30 -
Updated: 07/04/2010 12:32
MK Lightning’s dreams of the double have been crushed by Swindon Wildcats.
Lightning were hoping they could reach the English Premier Ice Hockey League play-off finals weekend at Coventry to add to their silverware cabinet which already has the EPL title after winning the league two weeks ago.
However, the MK side had their season ended early as they were defeated 10-8 on aggregate over the Easter weekend.
There was no doubting Lightning, as EPL champions, were the favourites to book a spot in the semi-finals going up against eighth placed Wildcats.
And after drawing the first leg 3-3, with two goals from Lukas Zatopek and one from Andre Smulter, they would have been feeling extra confident heading to Planet Ice on
Sunday.
Lightning took a 4- 3 lead on aggregate 12:14 into the first period when Smulter opened the scoring on the evening, only for Swindon to draw level seven minutes later through Aaron Nell.
In the second period Lightning twice took the lead through Monir Kalgoum and Nick Poole, but Wildcats kept equalising to make the score 6-6 on aggregate heading into the final period.
A power play goal from Ross Bowers gave Lightning the upper hand with less than a minute on the clock, yet Raimonds Danilics pulled Swindon back into the game.
When Kalagoum netted his second of t he eveni ng on 47: 18 Lightning appeared to have t he momentum, but it swung back in Swindon’s favour and they were able to seize their opportunities.
Once Nell bagged his third to tie the scores Jozef Kohut gave Swindon the advantage for the first time with only two minutes remaining.
Nell then confirmed Wildcats’ place in the semi-finals with his fourth on 19:33 with a goal that broke Lightning’s hearts.
Lightning were hoping they could reach the English Premier Ice Hockey League play-off finals weekend at Coventry to add to their silverware cabinet which already has the EPL title after winning the league two weeks ago.
However, the MK side had their season ended early as they were defeated 10-8 on aggregate over the Easter weekend.
There was no doubting Lightning, as EPL champions, were the favourites to book a spot in the semi-finals going up against eighth placed Wildcats.
And after drawing the first leg 3-3, with two goals from Lukas Zatopek and one from Andre Smulter, they would have been feeling extra confident heading to Planet Ice on
Sunday.
Lightning took a 4- 3 lead on aggregate 12:14 into the first period when Smulter opened the scoring on the evening, only for Swindon to draw level seven minutes later through Aaron Nell.
In the second period Lightning twice took the lead through Monir Kalgoum and Nick Poole, but Wildcats kept equalising to make the score 6-6 on aggregate heading into the final period.
A power play goal from Ross Bowers gave Lightning the upper hand with less than a minute on the clock, yet Raimonds Danilics pulled Swindon back into the game.
When Kalagoum netted his second of t he eveni ng on 47: 18 Lightning appeared to have t he momentum, but it swung back in Swindon’s favour and they were able to seize their opportunities.
Once Nell bagged his third to tie the scores Jozef Kohut gave Swindon the advantage for the first time with only two minutes remaining.
Nell then confirmed Wildcats’ place in the semi-finals with his fourth on 19:33 with a goal that broke Lightning’s hearts.
