lifestack Milton Keynes Lightning claimed a 2-1 overtime victory over Leeds Knights at Planet Ice Milton Keynes in an NIHL National fixture on 19 September. The game, attended by 2,502, was settled when Sean Norris struck at 61:55 to complete the scoring.
MK opened the scoring in the first period when James Griffin finished on 08:41, aided by Jake Hayward and David Thomson. The home side controlled much of the opening twenty, out-shooting Leeds 17-6 and enjoying strong territorial play, but Leeds levelled late in the second period through Sam Dunn at 29:41, assisted by Daragh Spawforth and Bálint Pakózdi.
The third period produced no goals despite a flurry of opportunities for both teams — the official summary records Lightning 10 shots to Leeds’ three in that stanza — and the contest moved to sudden death. It was in overtime that Norris, with an assist from Liam Stewart, found the decisive strike at 61:55 to give MK the two points.
Goalkeeping duties were carried by Jordan Hedley for Milton Keynes and Sam Gospel for Leeds; Hedley is shown in the official summary as having been in net for 61:55 and conceding one, while Gospel played the same amount of time for Leeds and conceded two. Overall shot totals underlined MK’s control of territory: 42 attempts for Lightning to Leeds’ 23.
Special teams did not decide the outcome — the game summary records no powerplay goals for either side — but the match featured a number of two-minute penalties. Leeds’ Bailey Perre was assessed a two-minute interference penalty at 09:47, and both benches served matching two-minute cross-checking penalties at 25:15.
Head Coach Pete Russell will have taken encouragement from the resilience shown after surrendering the equaliser, and the ability to find an answer in sudden-death.
For information on upcoming home dates at Planet Ice, the club’s season schedule is available via the MK Lightning home fixtures for the 26/27 season.
Milton Keynes now move on with an encouraging start to their NIHL National campaign. The coaching staff will review both the defensive structure and opportunities created in open play, but the ability to grind out a win in front of a healthy Planet Ice crowd will be a welcome boost for the squad.
