The WALDECK Peterborough Phantoms were beaten on derby day against the Milton Keynes Lightning.
Phantoms had the first decent chance of the game when Scott Robson’s blue liner caused confusion for Jordan Hedley, resulting in the puck striking the crossbar.
But the Lightning took the lead with just 2:19 played, when former Phantom Jordan Cownie gained the zone and ripped one in at the near post from the right circle.
And it turned into a nightmare opening four minutes for Phantoms when MKL Player Coach Tim Wallace was found out in front and he fired his shot past Hayden Lavigne.
Patrik Forsberg then saw a blue line effort kicked away by Lavigne, before some good defending by Scott Robson denied MKL a big 2-on-1 chance.
Phantoms had multiple powerplay opportunities as the first period wore on, but couldn’t find a way past Jordan Hedley. Luke Ferrara went close after a nice feed by Janne Laakkonen, but the shot was batted away.
MKL were then awarded a penalty shot, but Carter Hamill’s effort was saved by Lavigne.
Phantoms had more powerplay chances at the start of the second, but after again failing to convert, Lightning made it three, when Ross Venus was afforded the time and space to dispatch past Lavigne from out in front.
Phantoms were awarded a penalty shot of their own when Cam Hough’s stick was slashed out of his hands as he went to tap the puck into the net, but Ferrara’s penalty shot was saved by Hedley.
Frustration continued for Phantoms in the third period as MKL made it four - Dillon Lawrence tapping home from in close after a big rebound fell right into his path.
Phantoms went close again when Richard Hartmann produced some good work to set up Jarvis Hunt, but his shot went high and wide of the target.
MKL were then awarded their second penalty shot of the night. This time, it was Lawrence who stepped up and scored on the backhand to make it five.
After tensions boiled over and both teams were given a flurry of penalties, Hartmann saw a shorthanded breakaway well saved by Hedley.
More MKL penalties created more chances for Phantoms and Ferrara hit the pipework with his latest effort.
The Lightning struck again with just over three and a half minutes to play when Wallace picked up his second of the game. The former NHLer capitalised on the Phantoms defence being all at sea, to skate in and lift his backhand shot past Lavigne.
Phantoms put a late consolation on the board through Cam Hough, who finished well to ensure the Lightning wouldn’t return to Milton Keynes with a shutout intact.
FINAL SCORE: Peterborough Phantoms 1-6 Milton Keynes Lightning
Phantoms goals:
57:27 (PP 1-6 MK): #29 Cam Hough / #62 Janne Laakkonen / #96 Jarvis Hunt (PPG)
MKL goals:
2:19 (PP 0-1 MK): #95 Jordan Cownie / #16 Mack Stewart / #14 Dillon Lawrence (EHG)
3:58 (PP 0-2 MK): #28 Tim Wallace / #10 Toms Rutkis / #86 Sean Norris (EHG)
28:41 (PP 0-3 MK): #59 Ross Venus / #24 Carter Hamill / #14 Dillon Lawrence (EHG)
42:02 (PP 0-4 MK): #14 Dillon Lawrence / #4 Archie Salisbury / #95 Jordan Cownie (EHG)
46:27 (PP 0-5 MK) #14 Dillon Lawrence (PS)
56:23 (PP 0-6 MK): #28 Tim Wallace (SHG)
Phantoms man of the match: #95 Jasper Foster
MKL man of the match: #95 Jordan Cownie