NEWS CHANNELNick Poole’s MK Lightning survived a hectic fixture list, caused by postponed games during December’s cold snap, by beating Bracknell Bees and handing a double defeat to Telford Tigers.
Leigh Jamieson, scorer of the winning goal in their 6-5 overtime win against Bracknell 48 hours earlier, fired Lightning in to the lead against Telford after only six minutes at Planet Ice.
And Blaz Emersic, who assisted the opener, netted the second six minutes later as Lightning’s plan to tame the Tigers was in full swing.
Telford were bystanders with Lightning playing the game around them and their dominance soon told as further goals from former-Tiger Gary Clarke and Emersic gave the home side a comfortable 4-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Tigers showed more bite in the second period although neither side were able to add to the score line.
Player-coach Poole made his second assist of the game, expertly setting up skipper Adam Carr for Lightning’s fifth goal on 49.06.
Lightning did not ease off as Lewis Christie scored the sixth goal six minutes from time, and they continued to pile on the misery when Clarke fired a shot pasted Telford netminder Declan Ryan.
A late consolation came for the Tigers but Lightning’s 7-1 win highlighted their dominance.
The following day Tigers were faced with the daunting task of hosting Lightning, and although Poole’s men were not as deadly in front of goal their persistence paid off.
Lightning fell a goal down early in the game but in the third period Clarke connected with a pass from Poole to level the score.
Goals from Adam Brittle and Emersic stole a late victory for Lightning who are fifth in the table with five games in hand.
ON Saturday Manchester Phoenix travel to Planet Ice, face-off 7pm, and on Sunday Lightning travel to Sheffield Steeldogs, face-off 5.30pm.
