In a thrilling National Cup Semi-Final second leg at Milton Keynes Arena, the Milton Keynes Lightning emerged victorious over the Swindon Wildcats, clinching a narrow 5-3 win in overtime. This victory secured their place in the Final against Hull with an aggregate score of 7-6.
First Period
The game kicked off energetically, with Milton Keynes Lightning taking the lead early on. Rory Herrman, assisted by Ross Venus and Liam Stewart, netted a powerplay goal at 9:12. Toms Rutkis extended the lead with an even-strength goal at 13:35, thanks to an assist from Ross Green. Swindon Wildcats responded with a goal from Sam Bullas, assisted by Russell Cowley, at 17:28. Milton Keynes Lightning’s Liam Stewart, with an assist from Lewis Christie, scored during a delayed penalty at 19:43, concluding the period at 3-1 in favor of the home team.
Second Period
The Wildcats narrowed the gap early in the second period with a goal from Sam Bullas, his second of the night, assisted by Samuel Godfrey and Glenn Billing, at 30:29. However, Toms Rutkis found the net again for Milton Keynes at 34:38, maintaining their lead. The period ended 4-2 in favor of Milton Keynes Lightning.
Third Period
Swindon Wildcats fought back in the third period, with Glenn Billing scoring a powerplay goal at 47:27, assisted by Stephen Whitfield. Despite their efforts, the period ended 4-3, pushing the game into overtime.
Overtime
In the high-stakes overtime, Liam Stewart emerged as the hero for Milton Keynes Lightning, scoring the winning goal at 60:38, assisted by Dillon Lawrence and Ross Venus. This dramatic goal secured Milton Keynes Lightning’s place in the Final.
Goal Scorers
| Team | Scorer | Assist 1 | Assist 2 | Type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Ross Venus | Liam Stewart | Powerplay | 9:12 |
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Ross Green | Even Strength | 13:35 | |
| Visitor | Sam Bullas | Russell Cowley | Even Strength | 17:28 | |
| MKL | Liam Stewart | Lewis Christie | Delayed Penalty | 19:43 | |
| Visitor | Sam Bullas | Samuel Godfrey | Glenn Billing | Even Strength | 30:29 |
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Even Strength | 34:38 | ||
| Visitor | Glenn Billing | Stephen Whitfield | Powerplay | 47:27 | |
| MKL | Liam Stewart | Dillon Lawrence | Ross Venus | Even Strength | 60:38 |
Penalties
| Team | Player | Penalty | Mins | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor | Gaël-Mukeba Lubwele | hook | 2 | 8:46 |
| MKL | Lewis Christie | slash | 2 | 10:53 |
| Visitor | Edgars Bebris | hold | 2 | 19:43 |
| Visitor | Edgars Bebris | trip | 2 | 26:22 |
| MKL | James Griffin | slash | 2 | 31:56 |
| Visitor | Edgars Bebris | intfr | 2 | 38:46 |
| MKL | Lewis Christie | slash | 2 | 46:39 |
| MKL | James Griffin | intfr | 2 | 46:57 |
| Visitor | Edgars Bebris | hook | 2 | 49:48 |
Shots on Goal Information
| Goaltender Name | Total Shots Faced | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Hedley | 37 | 91.89% |
| Renny Marr | 44 | 88.64% |
Scorers Summary
Milton Keynes Lightning
- Rory Herrman: 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- Toms Rutkis: 2 Goals
- Liam Stewart: 2 Goals, 1 Assist
- Ross Venus: 2 Assists
- Ross Green: 1 Assist
- Lewis Christie: 1 Assist
- Dillon Lawrence: 1 Assist
Swindon Wildcats
- Sam Bullas: 2 Goals
- Glenn Billing: 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- Russell Cowley: 1 Assist
- Samuel Godfrey: 1 Assist
- Stephen Whitfield: 1 Assist
This semi-final second leg showcased the determination and skill of both teams, but ultimately, Milton Keynes Lightning’s ability to capitalize on crucial moments led them to victory and a spot in the Final.
