MILTON KEYNES, UK – The coveted Christmas number one spot has been long established in British music, and a lot was made of this years battle between the X factor and Rage Against the Machine. However, for hockey fans in Buckinghamshire, it was the sight of MK Lightning going to number one in the EPIHL that was most important. The Lightning claimed top spot after 6-3 and 5-3 victories over Basingstoke Bison and Peterborough Phantoms respectively. The wins came at a cost though, as Lightning lost their top scorer Andre Smulter in the opening period against Bison after an accidental collision with Basingstoke’s Chris Wiggins. The Finnish winger was rushed to Milton Keynes A&E and x-rays revealed a fractured jaw which needed to be operated on at nearby Luton hospital. The operation was a success and after a quick catch up with PHN the 30-year-old confirmed that he would be out for a while. “The MK fans have been great and really supportive wishing me a speedy recovery.” Smulter said. “The op went really well, and I hope to be back on the ice in about 6 weeks.” There has been no confirmation whether a replacement for Smulter will be signed, despite there being some rumours of a return of the popular Joakim Wiklander. However former Lightning forward, Ales Parez definitely will not be playing as he still having trouble with his shoulder injury that ended his season last term. The Lightning were also worried about their third liner Grant McPherson who injured his shoulder after a fight with Sam Zajac of Basingstoke and he re-aggravated the injury after getting hit into the boards in Peterborough on his first shift the following evening. Luckily for both McPherson and MK, the injury was not serious and after a rest over the Christmas period, he will be fit to play in Lightning’s first game of 2010, at home against Romford Raiders on 2nd January . Contact the author Mike.Walls@Prohockeynews.com
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