OXFORD City Stars outclassed Milton Keynes Thunder in front of goal as they won 4-2 in their English National League South Division 1 encounter.

Although Thunder, who are languishing near the foot of the table, managed to outshoot the Stars 38-34, Shannon Long in Oxford’s net, stopped the majority of strikes that came his way.

In contrast, Stars’ Alan Green expertly took his chances, and finished with a hat-trick.

Milton Keynes were looking to bounce back from a four-game losing streak, and the first period was evenly matched with both teams scoring one goal apiece.

Green opened the scoring with less than five minutes gone.

This was a powerplay goal with assists from Darren Elliott and Andy Cox, who was awarded man of the match for the Stars.

Thunder equalised at the end of the first period, through Jamie Line with another powerplay goal as Boris Ruzicka sat out for a boarding penalty.

The only score of the second period was an even-handed goal by Thunder’s Nicklin.

The third period proved decisive for Stars who scored three times.

The first came from Cox with assists from Ealey-Newman and Ruzicka.

Green fired a surprise shot past Spencer Caminsky, with assists coming from Cox and Ruzicka.

And he then slipped the puck past Caminsky for his third goal of the evening, this time assisted by Jason Ikin.