Blaz Emersic struck twice in the opening three minutes and went on to claim a hat-trick as Lightning – missing injured captain Adam Carr - defeated Swindon Wildcats 5-3 at the Link Centre.

Juraj Gracik set up the Slovenian to give the visitors a dream start with the opening goal after just 28 seconds.

Swindon hardly had time to recover from that shock before Jamie Line supplied Emersic for his second strike after 2mins 35secs.

Wildcats got a goal back on 8mins 40secs when Michal Pinc passed for Aaron Nell – just re-signed from Coventry Blaze – got the first of his
hat-trick.

But Lightning extended the gap again on 14mins 27secs as Emersic turned provider for Gracik to make it 3-1 – the score at the first break.

The next goal did not come until 32mins 27secs – going to Wildcats’ Nell with Jonas Hoog and James Knight getting the assists.

However once more Lightning stretched the lead with Adam Brittle netted from a Leigh Jamieson feed on the powerplay after 33mins 57secs.
Nell gave Wildcats hope with their third goal nine seconds from the break but the hosts could not draw level in the third.

Instead Emersic completed his hat-trick with 9mins 58secs remaining and despite withdrawing netminder, Thomas Murdy, for the extra skater in the final seconds, Lightning held firm for the 5-3 win.

Swindon Goals

8.40 Nell, Pinc, Hoog, E
31.27 Nell, Hoog, Knight E
39.51 Nell, Hoog, Knight E

MKL Goals

0.28 Emersic, Gracik, Jamieson E
2.35 Emersic, Line, Wales E
14.27 Gracik, Emersic, Jamieson E
33.57 Brittle, Jamieson PP
51.02 Emersic, Gracik, Jamieson E

Swindon Penalties

16.36 Watt, 2 mins, roughing
24.49 Watt, 2 mins, tripping
33.28  Watt, 2 mins, slashing

MKL Penalties

16.36 Wales, 2 mins, roughing

Shots on Goal

Swindon Murdy – 10, 14, 9 = 33
MKL – Mettam – 8, 12, 7 = 27

Referee – Dave Cloutman

Linesmen – C Edwards, Shaun Davis