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Milton Keynes Storm Under 16s (Division 1)
Result: 28th October 2007. MK Storm 5 v Bracknell 3
(0-0, 2-1, 3-2)
Milton Keynes bludgeoned their way back to winning ways, with the bruising defeat of a Bracknell
side, whose previous results had suggested they might compete this season for league honours.
MK started slowly, as if their recent mauling at league leaders Guildford still played on their minds. Conversely Bracknell played with great confidence on the back of their defeat of fellow league title contenders Romford. Nonetheless MK played soundly in defence, and Jake Scriven looked a
formidable presence in the MK nets. As the period progressed, MK began to take the initiative,
and it was the visitors who were relieved to retain parity at the break, after a sustained MK assault
on the away goal.
MK stepped up their physical challenge early in the second period, which the visitors found difficult
to cope with, and although both Josh Burgess and Harry Bowers were independently expelled from
the match, MK had clearly taken the initiative. MK celebrated a rare powerplay to break the
deadlock, when Josh Nicklin fed Jacob Heron (19:49), who scored fiercely from a narrow angle.
With MK double-penalised, Scriven broke up another Bracknell attack, and Ross Green (22:13)
roared up the ice to score. It was a pivotal moment in the game, and although the visitors replied
almost immediately with a powerplay goal (22:46) of their own, MK defended superbly, and
Scriven pulled off some awesome saves to deny them an equalizer.
MK started the final period well, when Tom Mboya (32:52) smashed home in front, set up by
determined work from Nidal Philips on the left flank. MK continued to attack, and all lines
threatened to score, with the younger members of the side leading the way. When Heron released
Nicklin, he surged down the left flank, and his pinpoint pass to Cameron Green (40:33) was
smartly turned into the Bracknell net. Moments later the same line scored again, this time Nicklin
tipping on a Heron pass from the left corner for Green (41:54) to fire home his second unmarked
in front. With the match effectively sealed, MK visibly relaxed, and Bracknell pulled back two late consolation goals (42:58 & 44:44). However it was too little, too late for the visitors, and MK
closed out the remaining seconds of the game without further drama.
This victory has lifted MK back to second place in the league. They started the match with a
number of senior players absent, and having lost Bowers and Burgess early in the second period,
full marks must go to the remaining defensemen. Ross Green and Mitch Starkey both impressed as
usual, but Alex Flowers and Jamie Miller comfortably played their best matches of the season. In
the MK nets Scriven was simply colossal, and he richly deserved his Man of the Match award,
although no doubt he will treasure his assist for the third goal much more!
With Guildford now the only unbeaten side in the league, MK lead the chasing pack, and if they
continue to show the commitment that won this encounter, it will take a fine side to overhaul them
in their bid for a second appearance at the National Championships in the Spring.
MoM: Jake Scriven SoG: David Carson
Shots on Goal: MK 28 Bracknell 27 (Jake Scriven MK N/M)
Stats: Jacob Heron 1+2; Josh Nicklin 0+3; Cameron Green 2+0; Ross Green 1+0; Tom Mboya 1+0; Jake Scriven 0+1
Milton Keynes Storm