Guildford Flames ended Milton Keynes Lightning’s seven game unbeaten streak as they capitalised on some rare defensive lapses to win 6-3 at the Thunderdome – and gained revenge for the 5-0 drubbing Nick Poole’s side had handed out a few weeks previously.

Lightning were first off the mark when a brilliant Adam Carr pass from defence found Gary Clarke just over the half way line. Clarke raced away to beat goalie Miroslav Hala one on one on 6mins 22secs.

However the lead did not last long – and it was the only time the home side were in front. Matt Towe set up Lukas Smital to level after 9mins 10secs with Smital looking to make the pass but instead firing past goalie Barry Hollyhead.

Just over two minutes later Jez Lundin was the provider for Nathan Rempel who was given too much space to shoot upstairs on 12mins 34secs.

Flames then had Neil Liddiard thrown out of the game after an altercation with Michael Wales – the Lightning man receiving a two minute roughing penalty plus 10 minute misconduct call.

A great pass from Blaz Emersic to Adam Brittle saw the Brit fire home first time for the equaliser at 24mins 37secs but once more Flames quickly hit back with a wrap around goal by David Longstaff to the far side of Hollyhead at 27mins 20secs.

Flames lost a further player, Martin Masa, who was ejected for drawing blood with a high stick on Adam Carr in the 34th minute.
With Lightning trailing 3-2 at the second break it was vital they got the first goal of the last session. Unfortunately for them it was the visitors who registered again when Rick Plant swept up after Hollyhead failed to hold a shot on 45mins 9secs.

Matt Towalski went around the net to make it 4-3 after 47mins 30secswith Hala strangely not covering the correct post.

Hopes of a late Lightning equaliser were dashed when Smital got his second goal as Lightning failed to clear the zone at 54mins 44secs.

A Rempel empty net goal 9 seconds from time completed Lightning’s misery.

MKL Goals

6.22 Clarke, Carr, Hollyhead E
24.37 Brittle, Emersic, Farn E
47.30 Towalski E

Guildford Goals

9.10 Smital, Towe, E
12.34 Rempel, Lundin, Longstaff DP
27.20 Longstaff, Rempel, Graham E
45.09 Plant, Towe, Dixon E
54.44 Smital, Towe E
59.51 Rempel, Dixon EN

MKL Penalties

12.34 Wales, 2 mins, roughing
16.50 Wales, 2 mins, roughing
16.50 Wales, 10 mins, misconduct
18.58 Towalski, 2 mins, interference
28.39 Clarke, 2 mins, interference
32.00 Farn, 1o mins, misconduct
36.50 Wales, 2 mins, slashing

Guildford Penalties

10.20 Graham, 2 mins, roughing
13.08 Liddiard, 2 mins, holding
16.50 Liddiard, 2 mins, roughing
16.50 Liddiard, 2 mins, roughing
16.50 Liddiard, 10 mins, midsconduct
16.50 Liddiard, 20 mins, game
18.58 Savage, 2mins,  roughing
28.00 Lundin, 2 mins, slashing
34.39 Masa, 2 mins, hi sticks
34.39 Masa, 20 mins, game,
40.32 Plant, 2 mins, holding
45.09 Rempel, 2 mins, roughing

Shots on Goal

MKL – Hollyhead – 12, 16, 8 =36
MKL Empty Net – 1

Guildford – Hala – 13, 7, 21 = 41

Referee – Dan Boardman
Linesmen – Nathan Carmichael, Jason Earl