This weekend sees the Flames ice in just one game, at home on Sunday, against their close rivals from Milton Keynes. In all fairness every team in the league could be seen as a close rival to the Flames due to the league stature the team holds; or possibly because of the jealousy of opposing teams of the Flames’ ability to be in the hunt for silverware every season.
So the Lightning strike into town coming off the back of a double defeat to their bitter rivals from Peterborough. A pre-season tradition sees both teams competing in a two-legged “Ashes” challenge game. However unlike the remainder of the league that hold their pre-season warm-up matches before the season starts this fixture always falls on the opening weekend.
So the Phantoms, who some have said will be a bottom 5 or even bottom 3 team at best, romped to a 10-6 aggregate victory over the Lighting (who many are saying will be a top 5 team this year). It doesn’t show much promise for a new look Lightning team entering the season. However; despite the fact that both teams like to win the pre-season challenge purely for the bragging rights it imposes, we should not take this as an indication that Phantoms will now go on to out perform the Lighting over the course of the season.
After finishing 5th in the league last season, Nick Poole went about making changes to the team, especially in the hard-hitting category. Despite the fact that the Lightning were already seen as a hard/physical team to play against; it would appear that it has stepped up another gear for 2012-13.
Netminders – gone is MK legend Barry Hollyhead into retirement. The 2011-12 season saw a winding down for Hollyhead as Alex Mettam took the reigns between the pipes. Mettam had a breakthrough year appearing in 41 games, ending the season with a 2.64 GAA and a .919 save %, to be classified amongst the likes of Mark Lee and Ben Bowns as a top goalie in the EPL. However at only 24 years of age Mettam is still a few years off his best years to come in his career.
With changes afoot in Basingstoke, Poole jumped at the chance to sign one of the better EPL goalies and long time Phantom; Stephen Wall. Wall ended last season at Bison after a mid-season switch from Peterborough. Despite the unsettling nature of a team switch mid-season, Wall posted respectable numbers last season, although nowhere near his best. At 30 Wall is far from done at EPL level and has a lot of qualities that will benefit the Lightning. It will only do Mettam a heap of good learning from someone of Wall’s quality over the coming season.
With two very strong netminders on his roster, Poole has the ability to change and rest one of them at any given time, safe in the knowledge that whoever steps between the pipes will be strong and give the team confidence at the back.
Defence – like ourselves there have been few changes at the back in the defensive corp. Tom Norton had originally planned to return to the Nottingham Panthers, but thanks to the intelligence of the EIHL implementing changes at the detriment of young British players, he now finds himself on a two-way contract with Peterborough.
Norton is replaced by ex-Bison defenceman Dan Harris. There’s not much to be said about Harris. He will do his job well and should fit into the Lighting’s defence philosphy very well. Lukas Zatopek returns for a 5th year with the Lightning and is arguably one of the best defenceman in the EPL. He is joined by Ross Green, Michael Farn, and Lewis Christie for one of the more solid British defence packs in the league.
Forwards – this is where the most exciting changes have occurred for the the Lightning. Long-term Lightning players Matt Towalski and Michael Wales have departed and headed south to Slough. Their direct 3rd line replacements seem to be the hard-hitting duo from Basingstoke, in the form of Nicky Chinn and Chris Wiggins, who will most likely join agitator Grant McPherson on the 3rd line. However having played 2nd line minutes for Bison, Chinn and Wiggins can step up when/where needed, which gives the Lightning the added depth which they have somewhat lacked in recent years.
Two big signings for Poole come in the form of local hero Leigh Jamieson and EPL top goal scorer and ex-EIHL star Adam Calder. After much speculation on whether he would take a year out to concentrate on his business, Jamieson was the last player announced for 2012-13 having signed a two year deal. This is a positive step for the team after Jamieson’s break-through year on the forward ranks last year. He can easily play top-line minutes, but having stepped up after 3 years on defence, it gives the team of extra coverage options should an injury crisis ensue.
Calder has joined the Lightning from the Jets after rumours of a move to Flames or back into the EIHL. This is a big signing for MK, although not short on scoring options, it is always a comfort to know you have the leading league scorer in your dressing room. Even at 36, age does not appear to have caught up with him after an 81 point season and the playoff title with Slough. I for one would have much preferred to have seen Calder with us rather than against us. He has the natural ability to walk through the defence and find the smallest of holes in the netminders armour to score.
Returning to the team for another year is Blaz Emersic. Emersic joined the Lightning mid-way through 2010-11 after a bust up with the Jets’ management. Blaz is a reliable forward that will do the job for the team, and do it well. Coming off the back of a 72 point season, he will be expected to once again be a top point scorer, whether on the 1st or 2nd line.
The only departure for the Lightning up front was Jamie Line, who has moved across to Peterborough, however the remaining Brits all return for another year. Ross Bowers is likely to rotate on the 3rd line with Adam Brittle, however Brittle could see decent time on the 2nd line alongside Emersic and coach Poole.
Returning for a 10th term is Lightning captain Adam Carr who will be ideally placed at centre alongside Calder and Jamieson. Carr is a natural centre and is MK through and through. Not many players can claim to have played constantly at the same team for that length of time; however the Lightning way of doing things seems to appeal to Carr’s playing ability.
Ofcourse the team wouldn’t be complete without Player/Coach Poole returning. At the age of 39, Poole is now entering his 13th year of hockey in Milton Keynes! He is still good for a point a game production and seems a natural fit on the 2nd line. Poole is a very clever tactician and coach and seems to have the ability to play in such a way that leaves other teams frustrated. Close down their scoring threats early and stretch them out, which the Flames’ have previous accomplished, then the game is a lot more open. However let them stick to their game plan and you’ll be skating around for 60 minutes frustrated with a close game and scoreline at the end.
We have to come out and grab an early goal within the opening minutes and then play a hard and physical game to break them down. I can see Sharp getting some decent ice time on the third line, especially with the number of players they have willing to drop the gloves at any given moment. We must also hope that the Huppe/Kohut/Campbell line are on top form as with last weekend.
I think it’ll be a close opening game against the Lightning with a 5-3 scoreline in favour of the Flames!!
Through the Plexi 