Lightning needed an overtime goal from Andre Smulter to scrape to a 2-1 win over Swindon Wildcats at the Thunderdome.
With player coach Nick Poole again switching the lines around Lightning were made to struggle by a Wiltshire outfit who included new import, Jonas Hoog in their line up.

The result of changing the lines with Michael Wales joining up with Monir Kalgoum and Andre Smulter on the first line; Matt Towalski, Adam Carr and Nick Poole on the second and Gary Clarke, Adam Brittle and Grant McPherson on the third meant that none were as effective as they could have been.

Swindon adopted a cautious approach to offence and with Chris Douglas doing a good job in the nets the Lightning forwards were unable to find a way through in the first period which ended 0-0.

In fact it was Swindon who took the lead – but not until 34mins 21secs when Egid Bauba, from mid-distance, converted Josef Liska’s set up.

It prompted a little more urgency from Lightning and they were back on level terms, courtesy of a 36th minute boarding penalty on Joe Baird. Wildcats had been reduced to three skaters with Baird joining Jason Stone in the sin bin. Stone returned to the ice only for Lukas Zatopek to fire home from Gary Clarke’s pass at 38mins 34secs.

At this stage Lightning had lost the services of injured Kalgoum.

The Swede was however able to return for the third session and Douglas came under bombardment as he dealt with shot after shot.

Nevertheless Swindon held out for a 1-1 score at the end of regulation time to send the game into five minutes of four on four overtime. It took Lightning 3mins 11secs to settle the tie with Smulter blasting high in to the net.

MKL Goals

38.34 Zatopek, Clarke PP
63.11 Smulter, Jamieson EH

Swindon Goal

34.21 Bauba, Liska, Aldridge EH

MKL Penalties

5.32 Jamieson, 2 mins, holding
6.44 Farn, 2 mins, roughing
23.31 Kalgoum, 2 mins, tripping
29.44 Poole, 2 mins, slashing
41.02 Jamieson, 2 mins, roughing
51.17 Wales, 2 mins, roughing

Swindon Penalties

6.44 Liska, 2 mins roughing
18.02 Liska, 10 mins, misconduct
36.27 Stone, 2 mins, holding
36.44  Baird, 2 mins, boarding
50.38 Aldridge, 2 mins, interference
51.17 Baird, 2 mins, roughing

Shots On Goal

MKL – Mettam – 10, 11, 7, 2 = 30
Swindon – Douglas – 18, 13, 20, 3 =54

Referee – Matt Thompson
Linesmen – Rob Adams, Jason Earl