The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South on Saturday evening to face current league leaders, MK Lightning and fell short 4-1 to the hosts, despite scoring the sole goal in the final frame.
The Sharks travelled with 15+2, missing key forward #9 Mason Alderson through injury following last weekend’s game against the Telford Tigers, whilst Lightning lined up with 18+2 including new signing #72 Richard Hartmann. Solway opted for regular starter #33 Jordan Marr, meanwhile MK gave #1 Jordan Hedley the start.
1st period
The hosts got off to an electric start, putting themselves in the lead early thanks to a rebound by #59 Ross Venus after the initial strike from #95 Jordan Cownie at 2:40. The Sharks quickly looked to answer back but Hedley matched their efforts.
MK Lightning doubled their advantage at 5:18 after #14 Dillon Lawrence fired high over Marr’s shoulder, assisted by #28 Tim Wallace and #96 Ben Solder. The Sharks then headed to the penalty kill for the first time as #12 Kell Beattie was handed a holding call at 6:49, but a strong defensive performance prevented the hosts claiming a 3rd goal.
Solway created their own offensive pressure in the 2nd half of the period, forcing #16 Mack Stewart to give up a holding call at 13:57, giving the visitors a chance to half the deficit. Despite multiple efforts through the first line, Solway remained 2 goals behind at the first period break.
2nd period
The Sharks returned for the middle frame with intent, but Hedley made the difference for MK in defence. The Lightning levelled up the pressure and created multiple chances, but it was Marr making the final stops in the crease to keep Solway in fighting contention. However, just after the game crossed the halfway mark, #16 Mack Stewart fired from point to send the puck low past the line at 31:26, assisted by #95 Jordan Cownie and #25 Ed Knaggs to give MK a 3-goal clearance.
MK maintained momentum and fired a 4th goal past Marr on 36 minutes as #59 Ross Venus claimed his 2nd of the evening after Mack Stewart worked the puck around the goal. The Lightning gave away a penalty late in the middle frame at 39:28 as #24 Carter Hamill sat for delaying the game, but the Sharks failed to sneak a strike past Hedley before the final period.
3rd period
Solway returned for the final frame with intent but failed to find a way past Hedley to reduce the deficit. Hamill and Susters created a threatening chance for the hosts, but Marr stood strong to deny a further marker onto the scoreline.
Sharks returned to the penalty kill at 48:07 as #53 Kian Shevlin was handed a penalty for slashing, but a strong defensive shift for the visitors denied the MK forwards. Lightning maintained puck possession for the majority of the 3rd period, but Marr matched the multiple efforts to prevent an extension for Milton Keynes.
A shift in momentum in the final 5 minutes allowed #14 Lewis Young to claim a consolation goal for the Sharks, lifting the puck over Hedley’s left shoulder from the right wing at 56:37, assisted by line mate #89 Scott Henderson. Solway battled to halve the deficit in the closing moments, but the final buzzer sounded sealing a 4-1 victory for the MK Lightning.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #33 Jordan Marr after putting up some superb saves between the pipes. Meanwhile MK’s #24 Carter Hamill claimed the title for the hosts for his efforts.