lifestack Milton Keynes Lightning travelled to Telford Ice Rink and came away with a 6-1 win over Telford Tigers in an NIHL National fixture on 20 September. The game, attended by 891, saw Lightning build a decisive lead in the opening period and control the match through a balanced attacking display.

MK struck three times before the first interval. Liam Stewart opened the scoring at 05:28, finishing from a Carter Hamill and Archie Hazeldine assist, and Danny Weight doubled the advantage on 15:47 with Hazeldine again involved and David Thomson providing the second assist. Carter Hamill made it 3-0 at 16:53 when Stewart and Bradey Johnson combined to set up the finish.

Telford replied early in the second period through Max Dukovac at 23:20, but Lightning answered swiftly. Carter Hamill restored the three-goal cushion at 25:01 and Jarred White stretched the lead to 5-1 with a 34:40 strike, Gulliver and James Griffin credited with the assists. Danny Weight completed the scoring with his second of the evening at 47:34, again set up by Carter Hamill and David Thomson.

The visitors’ tally included one powerplay goal, and the official summary records Milton Keynes with 22 shots to Telford’s 12 across the contest, underlining the visitors’ territorial edge. Jordan Hedley was the Lightning goalkeeper on duty and is shown in the official game record as conceding one; Telford used Brad Day in net and the Tigers are recorded as having conceded six.

Several MK players contributed across the scoresheet. Danny Weight finished with a brace, Carter Hamill had a goal and multiple assists, while Archie Hazeldine and David Thomson each provided two assists as part of a productive group performance. Jarred White also chipped in with a well-taken finish in the second period.

The coaching team led by Pete Russell will have been satisfied with the balance between defensive organisation and the variety of attacking outlets on display. Milton Keynes kept control of the game after the second-period response and saw the contest out without needing late heroics.

The result continued a positive start to the NIHL National programme for Lightning on the road. For context on David Thomson’s arrival and role within the team, see the club announcement Locked and Loaded: Thomson Signs for lifestack MK Lightning.

Milton Keynes now turn attention to the next fixtures as the squad look to build on a convincing performance on the road in the NIHL National Division.

Scoring summary

MK Lightning: Danny Weight 2+0, Carter Hamill 1+2, Liam Stewart 1+1, Sean Norris 1+0, Jarred White 1+0, Archie Hazeldine 0+2, David Thomson 0+2, Harry Gulliver 0+1, James Griffin 0+1, Bradey Johnson 0+1.

Telford Tigers: Max Dukovac 1+0, Finley Howells 0+1, Nick Oliver 0+1.