Lukas Zatopek’s overtime goal at last sealed a Lightning win to end their four game run of losses – much to the relief of both team and fans at the Thunderdome.

But Lightning made life hard for themselves after being unable to capitalise on their advantage following Leigh Jamieson’s opening goal on 5mins 9secs – the set up coming from Blaz Emersic and Tuomas Tikkanen.

For the remainder of the period the hosts dominated the play with Adam Brittle and Nick Poole unlucky not to score soon after.

Bees’ first real chance didn’t come until the eighth minute when Shaun Thompson was unable to beat goalie Alex Mettam one on one.

Tikkanen then shot over the bar as did Ross Green shortly after – the period ending 1-0.

Lewis Christie and Emersic went close early in the second before Michael Farn failed to get the right connection and Adam Carr’s effort was pushed away by goalie Tom Annetts.

The misses proved costly when Bees equalised through Thompson – the visitors’ first opportunity of the middle session.

Michael Bowman redirected Rick Skene’s blast from the blue line to give Bees a powerplay lead after 33mins 54secs – Zatopek serving a penalty for slashing.
Lightning finally levelled on 55mins 58secs with a great Emersic strike – the Slovenian taking Jamieson’s pass and firing it first time into the net.

Just 25 seconds of overtime elapsed before Skene was called for slashing Emersic and only 15 seconds later Zatopek wrapped up the points with a long range shot to beat Annetts to send the home fans wild.

MKL Goals

5.09 Jamieson, Emersic, Tikkanen PP
55.58 Emersic, Jamieson, Christie E
60.40 Zatopek, Jamieson, Carr PP

Bracknell Goals

27.27 Thompson, Bowman E
33.52 Bowman, Skene, Lamey PP

MKL Penalties

6.36 Wales, 2 mins, roughing
31.54 Zatopek, 2 mins, slashing
36.02 Zatopke, 2 mins, hi sticks

Bracknell Penalties

3.55 Graham, 2 mins, elbows
6.36 Skene, 2 mins, holding
28.06 Munroe, 2 mins, tripping
36.02 Smital, 2 mins, elbows
37.38 Foord, 10 mins, misconduct
40.18 Louskins, 2 mins, hooking
46.40 Johnson, 2 mins, tripping
60.25 Skene, 2 mins, slashing

Shots on Goal

MKL – Mettam – 9, 9, 6 = 24
Bracknell – Annetts – 13,15, 5 = 35

Referee – Dave Goodwin
Linesmen – Jason Earl, Kevin Biggs