Match Report: Leeds Knights vs Milton Keynes Lightning - The first home game (15th September 2024)


Starting as they mean to go on; The Leeds Knights secured their second victory of the weekend last night against last year's top of the table rivals Milton Keynes Lightning; the team demonstrating exactly what Championship winning Hockey looks like! 


Seemingly unstoppable from the start, yet still masterfully entertaining. it's fair to say the boys brought it all; no one quite as much, however, as the evenings Hattrick scorer Matt Barron (#37).


 


Period 1: A tentative beginning


Right from the whistle Leeds swarmed the offensive goal; tactics very much paying off as Finn Bradon (#33) netted his own rebound 4 minutes in to start the scoring, assisted by fellow linesmen for the battle Matt Haywood (#11) and Oli Endicott (#41). A few penalties later, with just under 5 minutes left of the first, Matt Haywood decided he wanted to pick up his own goal, going unassisted to raise the roof yet again. Following in the dying seconds of the period, Ross Venus for Milton Keynes snuck the puck past Netminder Sam Gospel (#31) reducing the deficit to one.


 


Period 2: Could it be all to play for?


Gunning to start his stint at the Castle with a bang, forward Matt Bissonnette (#73) went solo to secure the first goal of the 3rd. As the clock continued to tick, and with no shortage of clashes from both sides, the Leeds Knights received a penalty shot, granting Matt Barron his first flawless goal of the night.


5..4..3..2..1! Tucking another rebound between the pipes, Innes Gallagher (#19) bumped the Knights one point closer to victory. As the second intermission loomed; Wallace fired a shot from the point, managing to just sneak it past Gospel for The Lightning's second.


 


Period 3: And The Knights kept marching in


Continuing his blazing streak, Barron tapped another past Hedley to the back of the post, leaving Lightning striking ever weaker to commence the third. Puck connecting in the slot, Bissonnette and Barron took the powerplay making it 7-2 with just over 10 minutes to play. Rounding out the scoring; ableight to little effect over a dominant Leeds team, Martin Susters fires the high and tight angle shot to give Milton Keynes their third and final goal. 


On this occasion however, it was too little too late; with the Castle erupting in celebration to ring home the team's masterclass 7-3 victory!


 


Summary: Knights…take a bow


Despite penalties a plenty, the Leeds Knights are back on top with a definite target on their backs as they head into a string of road trip games; star performer Matt Barron once again proving that rallying the team makes the difference. 


Best not get too comfortable however, battle against the Bristol PitBulls next!


 


Final Score: Leeds Knights 7 - 3 Milton Keynes Lightning


Leeds Knights Scorers:



Thermos MOM - Matt Barron (#37)