The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South to face the 2nd place Milton Keynes Lightning in their 2nd road game of a string of 5, facing an 8-0 defeat to the hosts who reclaimed pole position of the NIHL National League table.

Solway travelled with 16+2 as #9 Mason Alderson, #14 Lewis Young and #21 Torran Anderson returned back into the squad following brief spells of injury. However, #16 Bailey Thomson returned to his 2-way team, alongside #55 Owen Rae, #17 Joe Lynch and #53 Kian Shevlin. Meanwhile, Milton Keynes lined up with 18+2, unchanged from their previous fixture. Netminder #31 Will Kerlin retained his position between the pipes, whilst Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr once again, backed up by #37 Logan Reid.

1st period – (2-0)

Milton Keynes won the initial face-off and fired shots on Marr through their first line, but he made the stops to deny an early marker for the hosts. The Sharks quickly answered with offensive pressure of their own, yet Kerlin covered Kerr’s blue-line strike. However, Lightning claimed the opening goal at 5:50 after #86 Sean Norris fed the puck to #59 Ross Venus on the back door.

The hosts continued their attacking threat, although the Sharks defence performed well to soak up the pressure, giving the forwards chance to break. Solway were forced onto the PK at 11:50 as top points-scorer #43 Nolan Gardiner received a double minor for hooking. MK doubled their lead on the man advantage after a drop pass from #95 Jordan Cownie allowed #24 Carter Hamill to fire a one-timer past Marr at 14:43. The visitors were eager to respond but MK denied them any opportunities thanks to a solid defensive unit, seeing them hold a 2-0 scoreline over the Sharks after 20 minutes.

2nd period – (3-0)

Milton Keynes were relentless on their attack, forcing Marr to make a diving save to deny Cownie from close range early in the middle frame. Sharks were then handed a major opportunity to halve the deficit as #89 Rio Grinnell-Parke sat for boarding, after his hit resulted in #12 Kell Beattie taking time off the ice at 24:22. Despite numerous efforts from Solway, including a one-timer from #10 Liam Stenton, Lightning returned to full strength without conceding.

Shortly after, the hosts ramped up their offensive presence and worked a 3rd goal through player-coach #28 Tim Wallace, squeezing the puck between the Marr’s catcher and the post at 28:43. Sharks faced more trouble as #43 Nolan Gardiner headed back to the penalty box for delay of game at 31:26, but the visitors applied a strong PK unit to prevent an additional marker for MK.

The Lightning’s first line connected successfully as #16 Mack Stewart fired top shelf, following the feed from #71 Harry Gulliver across the crease at 35:48 which added a 4th to MK’s tally. However, they handed Solway an opportunity shortly after at 36:17 whilst #33 Milique Martelly sat for tripping. However, the hosts wasted no time after killing Martelly’s penalty as #86 Sean Norris slotted the puck 5-hole under Marr at 39:38, sending MK into the final frame with a healthy 5-goal lead.

3rd period – (3-0)

Solway were determined to reduce the deficit, but #31 Will Kerlin held strong to retain his shutout for Milton Keynes. Lightning wasted no time adding a 6th goal through a strike from #71 Harry Gulliver, assisted by #37 Patrik Forsberg at 42:42. Tensions then spilled over at 43:36, resulting in Solway being short-handed as #5 Olivier Arseneau sat a double-minor for roughing, cancelled out by a single minor for #89 Rio Grinnell-Parke.

Seconds later, #95 Jordan Cownie claimed the 2nd power-play goal of the evening, after a scramble for possession in the crease at 43:52. Milton Keynes fired their final goal of the game past Marr on 46 minutes via #71 Harry Gulliver, forcing Solway’s Head Coach, Martin Grubb to call a brief timeout.

After re-discussing tactics, Solway worked multiple chances on #31 Will Kerlin, however he matched their efforts to deny the Sharks a consolation goal. The final penalty of the period was handed to #11 Callum Field for holding, putting MK at risk of conceding late in the game. Solway fired a series of shots on Kerlin and cycled the puck around the Lightning zone, but they failed to find a way past the host’s defence. MK maintained possession for the remainder of the game, seeing them claim a dominant 8-0 win on home ice to put Lightning back in the top spot of the NIHL League table.

MVPs were awarded to #12 Kell Beattie following a valiant effort in D for the Sharks, whilst #31 Will Kerlin picked up the title for MK following his shut-out performance.