ICE HOCKEY: It was a mixed weekend for Chelmsford Chieftains as they destroyed a Milton Keynes side in Buckinghamshire but were unable to beat the same side 24 hours later back in Essex.

The tie was out of sight after one period on Saturday as the Chieftains went into the first break 4-1 up with goals coming from Darren Brown, Ross Brears and a brace from player-coach Gary Clarke.

Maxims Petruks got the consolation goal for the Thunder.

With no further goals in the second period, but plenty of action and incident, it set things up for a tense final period.

The Chieftains came out showing why they are the league champions and put the tie beyond doubt with three unanswered goals through James Ayling, Danny Hammond and Julius Sinkovic.

Former Milton Keynes man Clarke took home the man of the match award for a fine performance on his old stomping ground.

On Sunday it was a different story altogether as the Chieftains lost at home for the first time since November, going down 3-2.

The impressive Jordan Hedley in the Thunder net stole the show on the night with an incredible performance that was the difference between the two sides.

The youngster put on a fine display and only Michael Ranby and Sinkovic were able to get the puck past the young stopper.

Ranby found himself getting in the showers first after a melee in front of Ryan Bainborough’s net in the third period and fists flew and the Chelmsford hard-man was dismissed and will miss the first leg of the semi-finals against Invicta Dynamos next weekend.

MK’s goals came from Nidal Phillips and one each for the Goode brothers, Connor and Harrison.

Julius Sinkovic was given the man of the match award after a fine display.

On an emotional evening, former Chieftains coach and current Thunder player-coach Simon Howard announced his retirement from the sport after a long and distinguished career that stretches back to 1988.

The Chieftains move on to face one of their old rivals, Invicta Dynamos, next weekend in the semi-finals of the play-offs where one of the Raiders (either Romford or Wightlink) will meet the victors in the final over the weekend of April 20.

Invicta overcame a 6-4 deficit from their away leg in Cardiff on Saturday night to win the tie 12-10 with a 9-4 win at home on Sunday night.