Nick Poole’s men went into this crucial game with confidence sky high following a run of five consecutive victories, including a 5-0 thrashing of second-placed Guildford Flames at the Surrey side’s own rink recently.  Phoenix, meanwhile, lost both of their back-to-back matches against Guildford a week ago and have been forced to grind out narrow wins against lower league opposition since the turn of the year.

Lightning handled a prolonged spell of pressure comfortably in the first period, remaining composed and refusing to yield to their determined visitors.  From the outset the game was a very physical one, both sides intent on making the other work as hard as possible for the points – and MK’s Leigh Jamieson was first to visit the sin bin only a minute into the first period to serve a penalty for tripping.  Michael Wales also sat a penalty for slashing but despite having a healthy amount of time on the puck, Manchester ultimately failed to take advantage of both powerplays.  As the first period drew towards a conclusion however, Lightning put their foot on the accelerator and with only 45 seconds left, Adam Brittle and Blaz Emersic set up Andre Smulter to ensure the home side hit the scoresheet first, prompting their ecstatic supporters to raise the roof; it was a lead that Lightning were to retain for the rest of the evening.

There was even more reason for the home support to cheer during the second period as Lightning maintained the momentum. Emersic continued to endear himself to the Milton Keynes faithful, scoring two goals in less than three minutes – connecting with passes from Lewis Christie and Andre Smulter for the first, but requiring no assistance at all for the second, putting the home side three goals to the good.  Phoenix squandered another powerplay in the second period, and the home side’s advantage increased on 33:56 when Emersic passed to Smulter, allowing the Finn to break away and score his second of the evening. 

MK netminder Barry Hollyhead was in outstanding form on Saturday but Phoenix top scorer Curtis Huppe denied the former Tiger a shut-out, scoring at 38:42.  However it was Lightning who continued to look the more assured as the match entered its final period, Michael Wales and Gary Clarke setting up skipper Adam Carr to fire MK into a 5-1 lead.  There was a very brief window of concern when Marcus Kristofferson gave Phoenix late hope of a revival by bagging two goals.  But it was too little too late as Lukas Zatopek scored a screamer with just over a minute remaining, to send Manchester home empty-handed and Lightning fans to cloud nine.

Final score: MK Lightning 6 – 3 Manchester Phoenix.  MKL Man of the Match: Blaz Emersic.