In a thrilling encounter at Milton Keynes Arena on December 9, 2023, the Milton Keynes Lightning showcased a dominant performance, overpowering the Sheffield Steeldogs with a decisive 9-3 victory.
First Period
The opening period set the tone for the Lightning’s dominance. Dillon Lawrence opened the scoring with an even-strength goal, assisted by Tim Wallace and Ross Green at 5:21. Wallace himself netted a goal later at 12:42, with Rory Herrman and Lawrence assisting, bringing the period to a close with the Lightning leading 2-0.
Second Period
The second period saw increased action. The Steeldogs’ Ben Morgan scored at 25:01, assisted by Cameron Brownley. However, the Lightning quickly responded with Rory Herrman scoring at 27:12, assisted by Tim Wallace. The Steeldogs’ Jason Hewitt, with assists from Jonathan Phillips and Matt Bissonnette, managed a powerplay goal at 35:19. Harry Gulliver, Dillon Lawrence, and Toms Rutkis each added a goal for the Lightning, ending the period at 6-2.
Third Period
Continuing their scoring spree, the Lightning’s Rory Herrman and Toms Rutkis each added a goal. The Steeldogs managed to pull one back through Jason Hewitt at 47:12. However, the Lightning’s James Griffin scored the final goal at 58:21, sealing the game at 9-3.
Goal Scorers and Assists
| Team | Scorer | Assist 1 | Assist 2 | Type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKL | Dillon Lawrence | Tim Wallace | Ross Green | Even Strength | 5:21 |
| MKL | Tim Wallace | Rory Herrman | Dillon Lawrence | Even Strength | 12:42 |
| Visitor | Ben Morgan | Cameron Brownley | Even Strength | 25:01 | |
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Tim Wallace | Even Strength | 27:12 | |
| Visitor | Jason Hewitt | Jonathan Phillips | Matt Bissonnette | Powerplay | 35:19 |
| MKL | Harry Gulliver | Ross Venus | Liam Stewart | Even Strength | 37:24 |
| MKL | Dillon Lawrence | Rory Herrman | Tim Wallace | Even Strength | 38:27 |
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Dillon Lawrence | Caly Robertson | Even Strength | 43:09 |
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Tim Wallace | Dillon Lawrence | Even Strength | 45:47 |
| Visitor | Jason Hewitt | Jonathan Phillips | Matt Bissonnette | Even Strength | 47:12 |
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Caly Robertson | Even Strength | 54:06 | |
| MKL | James Griffin | Rio Grinell-Parke | Ross Venus | Even Strength | 58:21 |
Penalties
| Team | Player | Penalty | Mins | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKL | Archie Salisbury | BOARD | 2 | 13:36 |
| MKL | Ross Green | HI STX | 2 | 34:37 |
Shots on Goal
| Goaltender | Total Shots Faced | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| William Kerlin | 27 | 88.9% |
| Daniel Crowe | 40 | 77.5% |
Player Summary
Milton Keynes Lightning
- Dillon Lawrence: 2 goals + 3 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Tim Wallace: 1 goal + 4 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Rory Herrman: 2 goals + 2 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Harry Gulliver: 1 goal + 0 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Toms Rutkis: 2 goals + 0 assists, 0 mins penalties
- James Griffin: 1 goal + 0 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Ross Venus: 0 goals + 2 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Liam Stewart: 0 goals + 1 assist, 0 mins penalties
- Caly Robertson: 0 goals + 2 assists, 0 mins penalties
- Rio Grinell-Parke: 0 goals + 1 assist, 0 mins penalties
Sheffield Steeldogs
- Jason Hewitt: 2 Goals
- Ben Morgan: 1 Goal
The match was a testament to the Lightning’s offensive prowess and strategic gameplay, as they consistently outmaneuvered the Steeldogs throughout the game.
