An epic 20-penalty shoot-out had supporters of Milton Keynes Lightning on the edge of their seats last Saturday, with victory eventually sending the English Premier League’s most successful team to the top of the table.That marathon game followed convincing victories against last season’s league champions Manchester and cup winners Slough, both of which have given the team and supporters hope of restocking the trophy cabinet in Milton Keynes this season.Some of the team’s key figures in those victories have been talking about an eventful first few weeks of the 2011-12 season.
Lightning’s first fixture this season gave them the opportunity to make a statement of intent about reclaiming their silverware from the team that inherited the league title from them – Manchester Phoenix. Games against the Cheshire side are guaranteed to draw a large and vocal support for both sides, and this fixture was no different. Lightning dominated, leaving the ice 5-2 victors, having never allowed Phoenix the chance to take a foothold. "We had it in control for nearly all the game", said defenceman Lukas Zatopek, "The best game of the season so far!" Assistant coach Lewis Clifford agreed, saying "From the first drop of the puck to the final buzzer we demonstrated exactly how we aim to play this season.We had a big, noisy crowd in for that game - hearing the noise coming through the dressing room walls gave us a fantastic buzz and momentum, and took us into the game with some good jump about our play". The Lightning’s players are never slow to acknowledge their supporters, and fans’ favourite, Grant MPherson, was keen to continue the theme: "The Thunderdome was bouncing - and it really gives us a boost. It was great to start by taking two points from the league champions!" Netminder Alex Mettam had a personal point to prove that evening: "I had a bad game against Manchester last season so I wanted to put that right. All the guys were amazing and we played the sort of hockey Lightning are known for - if we can do that every week then we won't lose too many games!"
The following week saw perhaps an even bigger challenge for Lightning - facing Slough away, after failing to beat them in six attempts last season. "I think we lost maybe a little confidence against them", said Zatopek, "so it was an important game for us - now we know we CAN beat them!" The team played that night at ‘the hangar’ with a solid plan and stuck to it, confirmed Lewis Clifford."We came out with a high tempo, got pucks in deep, worked their defence and just didn't allow their big guns any time on the puck.” Having been braced for a barrage of shots from Slough dangermen Adam Calder and Doug Sheppard, Lightning netminder Mettam praised the tenacity and skill of the defenders around him: “Defensively we were very good - every time I made a save, they were there to clear the rebound, which is great to have so much confidence in your D-men to do that”.The presence of newly-signed forward Juraj Gracik and former defenceman Leigh Jamieson were also key, according to McPherson. “Slough’s rink is always a tough place to go and play - it’s small and you always know you’re going there for a battle, but having guys the size of Jamo and Juraj up front helps.We won’t be pushed about by anyone!” There was controversy when McPherson and Slough's Ryan Watt came to blows but the Scot defended his part in the incident.“I won a face-off against Ryan and as he tried to get through me, he skated right into the butt end of my stick. We were 1-0 up at the time so I knew I had to resist temptation as I didn’t want to give them any momentum, but he thought I did it intentionally so came after me. I’ve played against Ryan for a few years now and we’ve had a couple of fights, so I knew what he was going to do.”
Then came the epic home game against Bracknell Bees.Lightning cruised to a 3-0 lead with less than half the match done, then gave their visitors too much time and space; three Peter Jasik goals in under 15 minutes equalled the scores, and the two sides couldn’t be separated in overtime.The 20-shot penalty battle that followed was one that even some of the players had never experienced the like of.“It was bizarre!”, said Lewis Clifford. “A combination of bad ice, great netminding and a few errors meant we saw 19 shots taken before Grant stepped up and showed great composure and calmness to score.” So, who decides the order that the players take penalties in? “Nick Poole selects the first three - after that we have to roll through the rest of the roster, there’s no scientific way to decide who takes them. We have absolute confidence in all of our players to do just as good a job as each other”. The reaction of the home supporters to Lukas Zatopek taking to the ice – possibly in anticipation of a trademark blue line rocket - was one of the loudest cheers of the entire evening, but the Czech admitted his apparent composure disguised a few nerves. “I’ve never been in such a long penalty shoot-out. I was tense when I stepped on the ice, and that huge cheer made me a little nervous because penalties are not really in my game! But I want to say a big thankyou to all our supporters - we have the best fans in the league”.
Whilst the supporters were on the edge of their seats, the man between the pipes for Lightning was enjoying the proceedings. “Penalties are always fun, because it’s pretty much a coin toss for the extra point”, said Alex Mettam.“That was the longest shoot-out I’ve ever been in but I wasn’t nervous – I just tried to be positive, patient, let the Bracknell players make the first move, and believe I could make every save”. Meanwhile the only player to score from the spot, Lightning’s McPherson, had an admission that might have increased the anxiety in the Thunderdome had supporters known: “It was my first penalty shot since playing junior hockey! But I knew what move I wanted to do, and I’m just pleased it went to plan”. Was he aware of the huge cheer that went up as he skated to the spot?“ I heard the crowd - which was fantastic - but as soon as I started skating it all went quiet.” On a typically modest note, he was quick to hand praise for the win to his colleague Mettam: “It was nice to score the winning penalty but the real hero was Alex Mettam - he was the one that saved 10 penalty shots in a row - and that’s pretty special.”
This weekend, Lightning face a double header against the team they knocked out of the EPL play-off quarter finals in April – Basingstoke Bison – beginning with the away leg on Saturday at 6.30, and the home leg at Planet Ice in Milton Keynes on Sunday at 5.30. Lightning are anticipating a large attendance for this game and advise supporters to buy their tickets in advance to avoid queues on the day. |
