The Milton Keynes Lightning were the victors in the first of two local derbies this weekend.
The game began with both sides locked in a neutral-zone battle, trading possession without either team able to generate early momentum. The Phantoms were the first to break through into the Lightning defensive zone, testing Jordan Hedley between the pipes. A spell of pressure followed, before the Lightning were able to tip the balance and work the puck back towards Hayden Lavigne. Strong defensive work from Jasper Foster and Joe Gretton denied Elliot Lewis a shooting opportunity, keeping the game scoreless.
Further chances fell the Lightning’s way in the minutes that followed, but the Phantoms began to find their rhythm. Good link-up play between Janne Laakkonen and Cam Hough created a golden opportunity for Luke Ferrara, who danced his way through the MK defence and slotted home at 10:42 to open the scoring.
The Lightning responded quickly. Elliot Lewis collected a pass from Jordan Spadafore, found space, and levelled the game at 13:24. Despite further opportunities at both ends, neither side could find a way past the netminders before the end of the opening frame, which closed at 1-1. As the period wore on, the contest began to take on a more physical edge, with chances becoming harder to come by.
The second period opened at a slower pace, with both teams once again battling for control and struggling to create clear looks at goal in the opening ten minutes. That deadlock was broken at 29:20 when Ralfs Circenis restored the Phantoms’ lead, finishing well after good work from Dillon Lawrence and Janne Laakkonen.
Lawrence continued to test the Lightning defence with a series of efforts, though Hedley stood firm to deny the Phantoms from extending their advantage. The Lightning eventually weathered the pressure and struck back, with Elliot Lewis grabbing his second of the night at 34:17 to draw the sides level once more.
The Phantoms wasted little time in responding. Just 42 seconds later, Ferrara found space inside the Lightning zone and fired past Hedley’s glove at 34:59 to reclaim the lead. However, MK had the final say in the period, as Sean Norris made it 4-3 heading into the third.
Both sides came out with intent in the final frame, knowing how finely balanced the game remained. The Phantoms were soon forced onto the penalty kill after Brad Bowering was called for high-sticking, and the Lightning capitalised. Dominik Gabaj converted the powerplay with assists from Jordan Cownie, extending the lead to 5-3.
Despite late pressure and a determined push from the Phantoms to force overtime, the score remained unchanged through to the final buzzer. While the points went the Lightning’s way, the Phantoms’ effort and resilience across the night did not go unnoticed.
FINAL SCORE: Milton Keynes Lightning 5-3 Peterborough Phantoms
MKL Goals:
13:24 (MK 1-1 PP): #29 Elliot Lewis / #5 Jordan Spadafore (PPG)
34:17 (MK 2-2 PP): #29 Elliot Lewis / #11 Callum Field (EHG)
38:43 (MK 3-3 PP): #23 Dominik Gabaj / #71 Harry Gulliver (PPG)
43:39 (MK 4-3 PP): #86 Sean Norris / #23 Dominik Gabaj / #63 Janne Jokinen (EHG)
45:44 (MK 5-3 PP): #23 Dominik Gabaj / #95 Jordan Cownie (PPG)
Phantoms goals:
10:42 (MK 0-1 PP): #19 Luke Ferrara / #29 Cam Hough (EHG)
29:20 (MK 1-2 PP): #33 Ralfs Circenis / #14 Dillon Lawrence / #71 Corey McEwen (EHG)
34:59 (MK 2-3 PP): #19 Luke Ferrara [Unassisted] (EHG)
MKL man of the match: #29 Elliot Lewis
Phantoms man of the match: #19 Luke Ferrara
By Frankie Notaro