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Milton Keynes
Storm Under 18s (Division 2)
Result: 23rd February 2008. Haringey 4 v. MK Storm 7
(2-4, 2-1, 0-2)
Milton Keynes
won a crucial victory at promotion rivals Haringey, and now have every chance of qualifying for the promotion play-offs.
The match could not have started worse for MK with the hosts pinching an early two-goal lead (2:08 & 5:18), but this early setback served only to redouble their efforts, and MK dominated the puck for the remainder of the match. Under constant pressure, Haringey conceded penalties, and when Martin Snape found Jamie Cox (11:04), MK were swiftly back in contention. Confidence surged through the MK lines and they besieged the home nets. Josh Nicklin showed great tenacity behind the net, and his pass was smashed home by Josh Burgess (12:59) in front. Every line looked likely to score, and despite finding themselves short-handed, Jamie Cox and Jacob Heron teamed up well for Heron (16:22) to finish. MK closed the period confidently, this time Connor Goode (18:16) finishing an excellent passing move again from Heron and Cox.
Haringey hit back early in the second period with a great goal of their own, and MK stuttered briefly, conceding penalties to add to the tension. But once returned to full strength, MK bounced back hard, and after a spell of excellent pressure, fast skating and quick passing by Ross Green and Jacob Heron left Harrison Goode (35:00) to finish neatly. Just as it looked as though MK would stretch their lead, Haringey finished the period with a breakaway goal (38:42), and left the final period with all to play.
That final period was as tense as any seen all season, and both sides looked nervous, but still MK looked to have the upper hand. When Snape drove down the right flank, his pinpoint pass found Heron (55:04) in front of goal and he fired the puck home without fuss. With the cushion of a two-goal lead MK relaxed and played some of their best hockey, and Haringey never looked likely to strike back. Finally Jamie Cox (56:46) finished the match as a contest with a fine finish set up by a tenacious drive from Heron.
This victory leaves MK with an outside chance of a league title, but more importantly a favourites chance of a promotion play-off berth. If they win three of their final four fixtures, then the prize is theirs!
Jamie Cox 2+2; Josh Burgess 2+0; Jacob Heron 1+2; Harrison Goode 1+0; Connor Goode 1+0; Martin Snape 0+3; Ross Green 0+1; Josh Nicklin 0+1
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