Match Report | 26th October 2009 » Milton Keynes Lightning 2-4 Sheffield Scimitars

Face Off: 7.00pm, Saturday 24th October 2009

24.10.09

The Sheffield Scimitars took to the road for this weekend's double header away games, with the Saturday night game at Milton Keynes first up and on paper a major test for the Scimdogs facing the league leaders.

Within thirty-five seconds of the start things did not look good as a sloppy Scimitars' defence conceded a cheap goal from Smulter to give the Lightning the lead, which was not what Coach Rowbotham was expecting. But less than a minute later at 1.22 the Scimitars had levelled through Farmer (assisted Brittle and M. Haywood) and then with just over two minutes played the Scims took an unlikely lead as d-man Duncombe placed an unstoppable wrist shot into the top shelf from inside the blue line at 2.09.

The Scimitars soaked-up some MK pressure but at 4.04 Poole tied the game after receiving a good pass across to the back post. As the game unfolded the Lightning looked strong going forward and although they were out-shooting the Scimitars, Raitenan kept Sheffield in the game with some great netminding. As the period wore on Sheffield began to assert the play and Squires and Farmer both went close only to be denied by some resolute defending. At 13.00 with the puck in MK's zone, Peter Slamiar picked up the puck Stewart was occupying a couple of MK's players on the boards, and circled round in front of net to put the Scimitars in front 2 - 3.

The second period was fairly even with neither side stamping any authority on the game. Farmer was released on a breakaway but Mettam managed to get a shoulder to the save. Mettam was under more pressure in this period from each Scimitars' line and it was in the final minute of the 2nd period that a Scimitars turnover by Matt Haywood saw the puck moved swiftly to Farmer who broke down the left flank as new boy Stewart raced through centre ice. As the pass came, he was there to poke the puck home to give the Scimitars a 2 - 4 lead and put Mk on the back foot after 40 minutes.

It was the final period where the fans were on the edges of their seats as MK tried to get back into the game but they lacked invention and the Scimdogs shut up shop to frustrate the Lightning forwards. As time ticked by it was the Scimitars who looked stronger and their confidence was high as MK chased the game. In this period the pressure was all on the Pasi Raitanen who turned away 26 shots for the 0-0 period.

With 1:13 left to play MK pulled the goalie as Farmer was given a 2 minute minor for tripping. Playing 6 on 4 MK threw everything at the Scimdogs but the PK stood firm and they shut out the Lightning to grab the points for their 3rd road win and some welcome relief for Rowbotham who said "that's just what we needed, a good win and a great first game for Stewart who deserved his MOM"

Game Details
Period Scores
Milton Keynes 2 - 0 - 0 = 2
Sheffield 3 - 1 - 0 = 4
Penalty Mins
Milton Keynes 2 - 4 - 0 = 6
Sheffield 0 - 4 - 14 = 18
SOG
Mettam 11 - 12 - 7 = 30/4
Raitanen 18 - 8 - 26 = 52/2

Scoring Details
Milton Keynes: Smulter & Poole 1+0, Jamieson, Towalski, Christie &
Kalgoum 0+1. MOM: M. Kalgoum
Sheffield: Farmer & Stewart 1+1, Duncombe & Slamiar 1+0, Butterworth 0+2,
Brittle & Haywood 0+1. MOM: M. Stewart
Referee: D. Goodwin. Linesmen: J. Earl & R. Adams
Attendance: 866
Not icing: P. Jones

Next Match Report: Romford Raiders 2-6 Sheffield Scimitars
26th October 2009
Previous Match Report: Guildford Flames 8-1 Sheffield Scimitars
21st October 2009

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