Hopes of a first victory for Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning in Scotland were destroyed by three first period Braehead Clan goals on Saturday.
Although Lightning fought back to go within one goal of the home side in the third period in was too late to make a difference as Pete Russell’s men were defeated for a third time over the border – previous losses being at Dundee Stars and, the night before, at Fife Flyers.
The visitors saw off an early penalty for hooking on Francis Verreault-Paul before being afforded a powerplay of their own when Craig Cescon was sin binned for elbowing in the fifth minute. However the man advantage was curtailed as Ben Foster was sent to the cooler for cross checking.
Both teams were at full strength when the Clan broke through for the first time as Brendon Brooks supplied Ryan Potulny to beat goalie Miika Wiikman on 11mins 28secs.
Ninety seconds or so later the home outfit doubled their advantage while on the powerplay after Denny Kearney was given a hooking penalty. This time Craig Peacock made the pass for Tyler Shattock to send home.
A too many men call on the Clan in the 16th minute eventually gave Lightning the chance to grab a goal back on the powerplay – the scorer Guillaume Doucet aided by Kearney and Paul Phillips at 17mins 41secs.
But the joy was short-lived with Braehead taking a 3-1 lead into the first break thanks to Tyler Scofield 35 seconds from the interval while Jonathan Boxill was sitting out a hooking penalty.
The second period was 6mins 42secs old when Matt Nickerson and the Clan’s Jacob Doty went toe to toe – both receiving five minute majors for fighting.
Once that was over Braehead added to their tally thanks to a Scofield assisted marker from Potulny after 32mins 26secs.
By this stage the game was drifting away from Lightning and their cause wasn’t helped by high sticking and goalie interference penalties dished out to Kevin Gibson and Foster in the 36th and 37thminutes. Despite that Kevin King was able to put Kyle Essery away to make it 4-2 on 39mins 28secs.
That goal gave Lightning a glimmer of hope going into the third period – the glimmer shining more brightly when Doucet and Kearney were involved as Verreault-Paul cut the gap to one goal on 50mins 4secs.
Soon after Doty was involved again when he clashed with King – again the penalties were five minute majors for fighting.
After Shattock was sin binned for a high stick with 1min 10secs to go Lightning called a timeout and withdrew Wiikman for the extra skater. But it was to no avail as the home outfit held on for the points.
Man of the match: Guillaume Doucet.
ENDS
