Milton Keynes Lightning beat Bristol Pitbulls 12-1 at Planet Ice Milton Keynes on 24 October, with Carter Hamill’s hat-trick helping turn a three-goal first-period lead into a commanding NIHL National win. All three of Hamill’s goals came in a five-goal middle period. David Thomson and Danny Weight scored twice each, while John Dunbar’s third-period power-play goal provided Bristol’s reply.

With Jared Whale in goal for Milton Keynes Lightning and Ben Norton in goal for Bristol Pitbulls, Lightning went ahead at 05:42 through Thomson, assisted by Jake Hayward and Sean Norris. Toms Rutkis made it 2-0 at 16:39 from Cameron Hamill and Milique Martelly, before Weight added a third with four seconds left in the opening period. Rutkis and James Griffin assisted Weight’s goal, giving Rutkis a goal and an assist before the first break. MKL took a 3-0 lead into the interval, having recorded 20 shots on goal to Bristol’s four.

That advantage grew quickly after the restart. Archie Hazeldine scored at 25:24, with Thomson and Weight assisting, and Carter Hamill followed just 15 seconds later with an unassisted goal. The two goals took Lightning from 3-0 to 5-0 in a short passage midway through the period. Hamill struck again at 28:55 from Archie Salisbury’s assist, making it 6-0.

Harry Gulliver added Lightning’s seventh at 32:58, assisted by Mack Stewart. Hamill then completed his hat-trick at 35:09, with Kell Beattie supplying the assist. His three goals came in less than ten minutes of playing time and accounted for three of MKL’s five in the period. Bristol had reached the first interval three behind; by the second break, the gap was eight. Lightning recorded 25 shots on goal in those middle 20 minutes to the Pitbulls’ ten.

The teams had met in Bristol the previous month, when the Pitbulls twice cut Lightning’s lead to one in a 5-3 MKL away win. This time, Bristol were unable to close the gap during the second period. Hamill’s hat-trick was the clearest individual contribution to the scoring burst, while Thomson and Weight had each scored once and assisted another goal by the time Lightning led 8-0.

Bradey Johnson extended the lead at 42:13, assisted by Carter Hamill and Mack Stewart. Norris then scored from Beattie’s assist at 45:28, and Weight’s second goal followed 57 seconds later, with Thomson setting it up. Those three goals made it 11-0 before Bristol found a response. Hamill’s assist on Johnson’s goal took his contribution to three goals and an assist; Beattie and Mack Stewart each finished with two assists.

Jake Hayward received two minutes for cross-checking at 49:26, and the Pitbulls made use of the power play. Dunbar scored at 51:13 from Jake Bricknell and Robbie Fisher, cutting the deficit to 11-1. Bristol’s goal ended Lightning’s run of unanswered scoring, though the home side had the final say. Thomson scored his second at 52:48, assisted by Norris, to set the 12-1 final score. Thomson finished with two goals and two assists, while Norris had a goal and two assists.

Source: Official NIHL National gamesheet.

About Milton Keynes Lightning

Milton Keynes Lightning are an ice hockey club based in Milton Keynes, playing home games at Planet Ice Milton Keynes. The club competes in the NIHL National Division.

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Scoring summary

MK Lightning: Carter Hamill 3+1, David Thomson 2+2, Danny Weight 2+1, Sean Norris 1+2, Toms Rutkis 1+1, Harry Gulliver 1+0, Archie Hazeldine 1+0, Bradey Johnson 1+0, Kell Beattie 0+2, Mack Stewart 0+2, Jake Hayward 0+1, Archie Salisbury 0+1, Cameron Hamill 0+1, James Griffin 0+1, Milique Martelly 0+1.

Bristol Pitbulls: John Dunbar 1+0, Robbie Fisher 0+1, Jake Bricknell 0+1.

First Published by Milton Keynes Lightning mk-lightning.co.uk

Photo credits: Tony Sargent