Lightning stayed joint top of the English Premier League after sending Basingstoke Bison packing with a 4-1 defeat.
In many ways it was the most complete performance yet this season – achieved despite the absence again of two key first line forwards, Juraj Gracik and Adam Brittle.

For the most Lightning’s backline looked impregnable and indeed it was only a moment of hesitancy in clearing the puck which allowed Bison a late consolation powerplay strike from veteran Steve Moria.

Matt Towalski gave Lightning a dream start when he was first to the puck after a blast from distance by Lewis Christie was blocked but not held by goalie Matt Colclough. Towalski calmly beat the goalie with a shot to his left at 2mins 46secs.

The second goal came with just 44 seconds of the first session remaining – while both teams were reduced to four skaters due to penalty calls.
Leigh Jamieson was the provider for Adam Carr to score from close range.

With just 54 seconds of the second period gone a long pass from Lewis Christie found Carr and he beat Colclough one on one with a blast to his right to make it 3-0.

Moria momentarily gave Bison some vague hopes with his powerplay strike on 46mins 27secs and, with 1min 15secs remaining, they withdrew Colclough for the extra skater.

But as so often happens the move backfired when Jamieson shot from way out on the left for an empty net goal with 23secs remai

MKL Goal

13.27 Jamieson SH

Basingstoke Penalties

2.15 Reynolds, 2 mins, tripping
7.07 Petran, 2 mins, charging
15.57 Higgins, 2 mins, roughing
30.05 Higgins, 2 mins, charging
38.17 Miller, 2 mins, roughing
38.55 Dubek, 2 mins, charging
39.54 Petran, 2 mins, roughing
46.54 Dubek, 2 mins, boarding

MKL Penalties

10.56 Wales, slashing
12.47 Poole, 2 mims, slashing
15.52 Christie, 2 mins roughing
26.49 Green, 2 mins, holding
38.55 Carr, 2mins, elbows
39.54 Wales, 2 mins, roughing
53.14 Christie, 2 mins, hi sticks

Shots on Goal

Basingstoke – Colclough – 5, 15, 6 = 29
MKL – Mettam – 10, 12, 16 = 38

Referee – Matt Thompson
Linesmen – Josh Dolphin, Ryan Cooper

MOM - Mettam