Sheffield Steeldogs 3-8 MK Lightning 5 February 2017

REPORT: Sheffield Steeldogs 3-8 MK Lightning - 5 February 2017 - English Premier League

A Frankie Bakrlik hat-trick plus two goals from Antti Hölli helped Smith Recycling MK Lightning on their way to acrushing 8-3 victory over Sheffield Steeldogs at iceSheffield on Sunday.

Three first period goals in less than three minutes stunned the home side who were always on the back foot after that. And when three became four before the interval the writing really was on the wall.

The win ensured Lightning took five out of a possible six points from their three matches over the weekend. But Telford Tigers’ win over Peterborough Phantoms means that they still lead the English Premier League by eight points, having played one game more.

James Griffin, helped by Hölli and Jordan Cownie, was first to breach the net of goalie Brandon Stones after 7mins 5secs with Milan Baranyk the supplier for captain Adam Carr to take his tally for the season into double figures at 8mins 46secs.

Steeldogs hardly had time to recover before Michael Farn and Tom Carlon had a hand in Bakrlik’s first marker on 10mins 4secs.

A penalty on Lewis Hook for tripping went unpunished in terms of goals while MK were unable to add to their total when Arnoldas Bosas went for boarding in the 12th minute.

Hooking penalties on Stan Lascek and Carr in quick succession reduced both sides to four skaters and it was during this spell that Bakrlik made it 4-0 – the assists going to Farn and Blaz Emersic.

Lightning had just returned to full strength in the middle session after a last minute first period penalty on Luc Johnson for a high stick when Hölli extended the gap to five – Farn and Hook picking up assists.

If Steeldogs hoped MK would take it easy from then on they were mistaken. A tripping call on Tomas Brcko was punished with Hook setting up Hölli for a quick second goal on 22mins 55secs.

The home outfit eventually got off the mark on 31mins 48secs through Lascek while Glenn Billing was sitting out a holding penalty.

But there was a swift response from the travelling team – Craig Scott and Carr involved as Baranyk took the score to 7-1 49 seconds later.

Less than a minute later at 33mins 36secs Bakrlik completed his hat-trick with assistance from Carlon.

The comfortable scoreline allowed coach Pete Russell to give back up netminder Jordan Hedley his longest period in between the pipes in a game this season– replacing Przemy Odrobny after 36mins 29secs.

Steeldogs ended the second session defending a four minute short-handed spell with Callum Pattison called for tripping and interference. But it did not stop them registering short-handed within 23 seconds of the restart thanks to an unassisted Lascek effort.

That spurred Steeldogs to put pressure on Lightning with Bosas twice testing out Hedley in quick succession before Lewis Christie produced a hard shot which was blocked by Stones.

It was not until Jamieson was sin binned for a high stick that Steeldogs were able to reduce the gap further – Bosas finding the net on the powerplay at 57mins 29secs to make it 8-3.

Man of the Match:  #12 James Neil (D)

Report: Paul Brookman

Website:  www.mk-lightning.com

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