THERE were plenty of fireworks as Oxford City Stars finished their Southern A League campaign with a 3-3 draw at home to Milton Keynes.
Despite having little to play for, a punch-up brought a sour taste to the final game as Stars' Patrick Knightley and Milton Keynes's Mike Knight went head-to-head before both being sent off.
There was no sign of the battle to follow as Milton Keynes took an early lead through Jamie Cox, before Stars equalised during a powerplay after Milton Keynes' Sam Fairhurst was given a two-minute penalty for hooking.
Oxford made the most of their extra man, scoring through former Milton Keynes player Lee Featherstone.
The second period saw Oxford get on top, and they went in front in the 28th minute as Will Skaife and Darren Elliott set up Alan Green.
Stars made it 3-1 on the counter-attack as Dean Francis slotted home, but with less than a minute remaining in the period, the visitors reduced the arrears when Dan Chaplin scored during a powerplay, which saw captain Darren Elliott in the sin-bin for roughing.
The final period of the season saw the sparks fly.
Milton Keynes's Knight tried to spark a fight, and in the 45th minute, it all blew up between Knightley and Knight.
It was the first time Knightley had been involved in a fight, while Knight is no stranger to a punch-up.
Once the dust had settled, both players were sent from the ice, but the fight was not over.
As the pair departed towards the changing rooms, it flared up again with players from both sides getting involved.
The captains were taken to a quiet spot by referee Anthony Decaux, and Knight got a 70-minute penalty and Knightley a 45-minute penalty.
Stars saw a fourth goal disallowed in the 49th minute, before Milton Keynes snatched their third goal to seal a draw six minutes from time with a strike from Josh White.
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