NEWS CHANNEL
On Saturday Lightning were crowned English Ice Hockey Premier League champions, with three games to spare, following their 3-1 win over Swindon Wildcats in front of their own fans at Planet Ice.
Celebrations carried on into the night, with one or two players nursing sore heads as they suffered a hangover 11-1 defeat to Slough Jets the following day.
What makes the achievement all the more impressive is Lightning have done it on a smaller budget than most in the league, and they have won the title despite Peterborough Phantoms, who won the treble last season, and Manchester Phoenix, who dropped down from the Elite League, both expected to challenge for the league this season.
Poole, who scored the third goal in Lightning’s title-clinching win, told MK NEWS of his delight to finally get his hand on the title for the third time in seven years.
He said: “Winning the title is a bit of a relief, we haven’t won any silverware for a few seasons now, we came so close last season, so to do it this year with such a great team is really pleasing.
“It’s been a great season, we always target silverware at the start of the season but the way we have performed throughout has exceeded our expectations.
The success this season is down to the team spirit, we have a great bunch of players and we’ve really gelled and stuck together as a team.
“There has been no egos, no one has been bigger than the team - everyone has wanted to win something for the club.” Lightning are now hoping to emulate the success of their rivals Peterborough by winning the treble, but Poole admits that will be difficult as they have to over turn a five goal deficit tonight if they are to get their hands on the EPL Cup.
They host Guildford Heat in the second- leg this evening and trail 6-1 Poole believes with a slice of luck they could turn it around, yet it is the play-off finals weekend at Coventry in early April that he is targeting.
He added: “Hopefully we can get to Coventry because it’s always a great occasion and our fans have already bought lots of tickets to support us.
“We won in the semis last year, but lost in the final so we’ll be looking to go one better this time. We won trophies early on in my time here, but in terms of the team and the spirit it’s definitely one of the best seasons I’ve had. I’m really proud.” ■ LIGHTNING are at home to Guildford tonight, face-off 7.30pm.
Entertain Basingstoke Bison at home on Saturday, 7pm, and visit Peterborough on Sunday, 5.30pm.
