The WALDECK Peterborough Phantoms fell to a clinical Milton Keynes Lightning side in the PINIHL Grand Final, with a 6-1 defeat at the Skydome Arena bringing their playoff title defence to an end.
A fast-paced opening period saw both teams sit penalties, but it was the Lightning who capitalised.
A powerplay goal from James Griffin opened the scoring at 09:50, followed shortly after by a well-worked evenhanded strike from Ben Solder at 12:42.
Nathan Salem briefly lifted Phantoms spirits with his fourth of the weekend - a powerplay goal at 13:30, but the Lightning extended their lead less than a minute later. It was Jordan Cownie who fired past Lavigne for 3-1 at 14:12, giving the Lightning a commanding edge.
The Phantoms looked to reset in the second, with Luke Ferrara, Janne Laakkonen and Zaine McKenzie all creating chances of their own - but Jordan Hedley stood tall to keep them out. Further penalty trouble opened the door for Lightning's clinical special teams, with Jarvis Hunt sitting for holding at 30:55.
It was Ross Venus who did the damage in the middle period, with a powerplay goal at 32:44 and a smart shorthanded finish at 38:17 putting the game out of reach heading into the final frame.
Despite flashes of energy and a spirited two-way effort in the final third, the Phantoms were unable to claw their way back. A trademark sliding block from Scott Robson kept the deficit at 4, while Louie Kynaston came close with a determined backhanded effort on his return from international duty. Jordan Hedley continued to shut the door, earning a man of the match award for his efforts.
A late empty-net goal from Harry Gulliver at 57:42 sealed the win for the Lightning, with the playoff trophy heading down the A1 to Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes Lightning 6-1 Peterborough Phantoms
Lightning Goals:
09:50 (MKL 1-0 PP): #15 James Griffin / #95 Jordan Cownie / #37 Patrik Forsberg (PPG)
12:43 (MKL 2-0 PP): #96 Ben Solder / #95 Jordan Cownie / #71 Harry Gulliver (EHG)
14:12 (MKL 3-1 PP): #95 Jordan Cownie / #37 Patrik Forsberg / #71 Harry Gulliver (EHG)
32:44 (MKL 4-1 PP): #59 Ross Venus / #37 Patrik Forsberg (PPG)
38:17 (MKL 5-1 PP): #59 Ross Venus / #14 Dillon Lawrence (SHG)
57:42 (ML 6-1 PP): #71 Harry Gulliver / #95 Jordan Cownie (EN)
Phantoms Goals:
13:30 (MKL 2-1 PP): #91 Nathan Salem / #38 Duncan Speirs / #2 Tom Norton (PPG)
Man of the Match:
Milton Keynes Lightning: #1 Jordan Hedley
Peterborough Phantoms: #91 Nathan Salem