Result:              13^th January 2008. MK Storm 3 v Chelmsford 1

 

(1-0, 2-0, 0-1)

 

 

Milton Keynes completed an impressive defeat over a well-organised Chelmsford unit, who until this match still had lingering hopes of competing for a place in the National Championships in May.

 

Both teams started the match well, and chances fell at both ends, but MK looked the most likely to break the deadlock. They were given a golden opportunity to do so with the visitors double-penalised, and they did not disappoint: Jacob Heron passed to Mitch Starkey in the corner, and his cross goal pass was squeezed home in front by Josh Nicklin (06:32). MK continued to press and could easily have gone into the first break three or four goals to the good, but the visitors held on gamely.

 

MK increased their lead from another power play, this time Ross Green crashing home a shot from the blue line (20:11). Both sides started to ship penalties, and with only three players skating on either side, Nicklin drove up the ice and fed Heron, who rifled the puck home from close range (22:28). With this decisive score MK took total charge of the match, incisive in attack, tough and uncompromising in defence.

The final period lack the intensity of the previous two, and Chelmsford constantly struggled to breach MK s suffocating defence. Although MK hearts fluttered briefly when the visitors scored late in the match (42:36), it proved no more than a consolation, and the match ended with MK clearly in charge.

With other results apparently running in MK s favour they are now well and truly back in contention for the league title. They must continue their good form into 2008, and a match in Peterborough this weekend would be a good place to progress further.

 

SoG     Jacob Heron   MoM            Chris Chaplen N/M

Jacob Heron 1+2; Josh Nicklin 1+1; Ross Green 1+0; Connor Goode 0+1; Mitch Starkey 0+1

Shots on Goal:  MK 41 Chelmsford 23 (MK N/M Chris Chaplen 23/1 95.65%)