At the Milton Keynes Arena on February 3, 2024, the Milton Keynes Lightning secured a commanding victory over the Solway Sharks, concluding with an 8-2 scoreline. The game, marked by strategic plays and a display of skill, provided an engaging spectacle for hockey enthusiasts.
First Period
The first period set the tone for an action-packed game, ending in a 1-1 draw. Toms Rutkis opened the scoring for Milton Keynes with a powerplay goal, assisted by Rory Herrman and Liam Stewart. The Solway Sharks responded with Nolan Gardiner finding the net, aided by Caly Robertson, also on a powerplay.
End of First Period: Milton Keynes Lightning 1, Solway Sharks 1
Second Period
Milton Keynes dominated the second period with four unanswered goals. Dillon Lawrence scored twice, with assists from Toms Rutkis, Edward Knaggs, and Rory Herrman. Rory Herrman and Toms Rutkis each added a goal, with contributions from Ben Solder, Liam Stewart, and Dillon Lawrence.
End of Second Period: Milton Keynes Lightning 5, Solway Sharks 1
Third Period
The third period saw the Lightning extend their lead. Rory Herrman scored twice, with assists from Dillon Lawrence, Ben Brown, and Ross Green. Liam Stewart also scored, with Dillon Lawrence and Rory Herrman assisting. The Sharks managed to put one in the net thanks to John Dunbar, assisted by Caly Robertson and Stuart Kerr.
End of Third Period: Milton Keynes Lightning 8, Solway Sharks 2
Game Summary
Milton Keynes Lightning showed a strong offensive performance, with notable contributions from Rory Herrman and Dillon Lawrence. The Solway Sharks, despite their efforts, were overwhelmed by the Lightning’s relentless attacks.
Goal Scorers
| Team | Scorer | Assist 1 | Assist 2 | Type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Rory Herrman | Liam Stewart | Powerplay | 11:22 |
| Visitor | Nolan Gardiner | Caly Robertson | Powerplay | 17:02 | |
| MKL | Dillon Lawrence | Toms Rutkis | Edward Knaggs | Even Strength | 22:05 |
| MKL | Dillon Lawrence | Rory Herrman | Even Strength | 25:52 | |
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Ben Solder | Liam Stewart | Even Strength | 37:33 |
| MKL | Toms Rutkis | Rory Herrman | Dillon Lawrence | Even Strength | 39:51 |
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Dillon Lawrence | Ben Solder | Even Strength | 44:03 |
| MKL | Liam Stewart | Dillon Lawrence | Rory Herrman | Even Strength | 53:00 |
| Visitor | John Dunbar | Caly Robertson | Stuart Kerr | Even Strength | 54:50 |
| MKL | Rory Herrman | Ben Brown | Ross Green | Even Strength | 55:31 |
Penalties
| Team | Player | Penalty | Mins | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor | Lewis Young | TRIP | 2 | 9:51 |
| MKL | James Griffin | BOARD | 2 | 13:25 |
| MKL | Liam Stewart | TRIP | 2 | 15:20 |
| Visitor | TRIP | 2 | 23:28 | |
| Visitor | John Dunbar | ROUGH | 2 | 28:32 |
| MKL | James Griffin | X CHK | 2 | 30:16 |
| MKL | James Griffin | UNSPORT | 2 | 30:16 |
| Visitor | Kell Beattie | HOLD | 2 | 32:39 |
| MKL | James Griffin | HI STX | 2 | 44:17 |
| MKL | Corey McEwen | TRIP | 2 | 56:20 |
| Visitor | Ross Murray | HOLD | 2 | 59:37 |
Goaltender Summary
| Goaltender | Total Shots Faced | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| William Kerlin | 32 | 93.75% |
| Curtis Warburton | 42 | 80.95% |
Player Summary
Milton Keynes Lightning
- Rory Herrman: 3 Goals, 4 Assists
- Dillon Lawrence: 3 Goals, 3 Assists
- Toms Rutkis: 2 Goals, 2 Assists
- Liam Stewart: 1 Goal, 3 Assists
- Ben Solder: 0 Goals, 3 Assists
Solway Sharks
- Nolan Gardiner: 1 Goal
- John Dunbar: 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- Caly Robertson: 0 Goals, 2 Assists
This comprehensive win for the Milton Keynes Lightning at home showcased their prowess, both offensively and defensively, leaving the Solway Sharks to reflect on their strategy for future encounters.
