Sunday 26th January 2019, Face off 5:15pm, Doors Open 4:30pm

Tickets available here

Playlist here

It’s a rare Sunday game at the MK Arena for the Smith Recyling Milton Keynes Lightning this weekend, as we take on Raiders following our trip to Leeds@Coventry on Saturday evening.  The earlier time makes it a great opportunity to bring along younger children so we hope to see you all there.  Afterwards, there’s the usual free skating (skate hire £3) and you’ll be joined on the ice by the Lightning players who will give you a few skating tips and be there for your selfies and signings.  Should be fun.

Lightning will be facing Romford based Raiders as our opponents for the second time in eight days – the final meeting between the two teams in the regular season.  We will be keen for swift revenge after last Sunday’s 6-4 loss at the Sapphire Centre and thus square the series against the Essex team who have proved to be a little bit of a bogey side for Lewis Clifford’s men given MK’s superior record against the outfits above them in the National Ice Hockey League.

Raiders go into the weekend occupying the final play-off qualification place in the table despite only having won twice during January – the other win coming against Leeds Chiefs who Lightning face in an away fixture at Coventry Skydome on Saturday.

That said two of Raiders’ four defeats came against second placed Swindon Wildcats in which they suffered 9-2 and 8-3 reverses. They have not had too much trouble scoring goals with 130 to their credit, equally fourth placed Basingstoke Bison, and only five behind Lightning and Sheffield Steeldogs. But it is defence that is their weak point with 178 goals conceded, 17 more than anchor team Leeds.

Top scorer is Lukas Sladovsky with 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points while Blahoslav Novak has scored two more goals and four assists less for 37 points. Lightning will be well aware of the need to keep tabs on those two plus former Guildford Flames and Peterborough Phantoms player, Erik Piatak, who is third in the Raiders’ rankings with 34 points from 10 fewer games than either Sladovsky or Novak.

Piatak who replaced Marek Malinsky scored twice in Raiders’ 6-2 win at Planet Ice in November with Sladovsky and Novak bagging one apiece in that game. Last weekend home grown forward Brandon Ayliffe did his stats no harm with a brace against Lightning while dual Latvian-UK passport holder Olegs Lascenko weighed in with two and Aaron Connolly and Novak singles.

Sunday’s game gets under way at the family friendly time of 5.15pm. Come and make some noise for MK Lightning. Buy your tickets in advance by calling 01908 540020, or here. If you are planning to go and support MKL against Leeds Chief at Coventry Skydome on Saturday face off there is 7pm. Tickets will be available at the door.

Supporter’s Club

50/50:
The 50/50 draw is a cash prize raffle and your chance to win half the pot of the money taken. Tickets are £1 each, 3 for £2 or 10 for £5 and can be bought from the sellers in the blue tabards outside and around the rink.

Shirt Off His Back:
Tickets are also £1 each, 3 for £2 or 10 for £5 and can be bought from the sellers in the pink tabards outside and around the rink.

Ollie’s Grid:
This week the grid is your chance to win a game worn jersey. Squares are £1 each and can be bought from Ollie as he makes his way around the rink and entrance.

Chuck A Duck:
As usual Sue will be just inside the rink entrance selling ducks and other assorted animals to chuck onto the ice during the 2nd period break. Buy yours for just £1 each.

Photo: Tony Sargent