The race to reach the Final Four steps up this weekend as the Planet Ice NIHL National Division playoffs continue. 

In Group A, a Yorkshire derby beckons for Leeds Knights and Hull Seahawks this weekend as the pair get set to do battle.

League champions and NIHL National Cup winners Leeds are the only unbeaten side in their group, having picked up maximum points against Telford Tigers last week.

During their six regular season encounters, both teams won three apiece, earning points home and away.

The other Group A double-header sees Peterborough Phantoms take on Telford.

After a difficult opening weekend in the playoffs, the Tigers know they must ensure a significant points return against the team seeded third in their group in order to stand a chance of making it to Coventry.

In Group B, two unbeaten records are on the line as MK Lightning and Swindon Wildcats face off.

Having finished the regular season second and third in the standings, both teams have left themselves in a good position to make the Final Four with two round-robin double-headers still to come.

Milton Keynes edged the regular season head-to-head, winning three times compared to the Wildcats’ two. Overtime was also required for both of Swindon’s wins.

Elsewhere in Group B, Romford Raiders and Sheffield Steeldogs will bid to keep their Final Four hopes alive.

Their first meeting comes in the Steel City on Friday night, with the return fixture taking place in Romford on Sunday evening.

Sheffield, the only side in the playoffs yet to pick up a point, are used to tight games against the Raiders. During the regular season, three of their five encounters saw the teams separated by just one goal.

A full list of fixtures/results for each group can be found here.

Fixtures – NIHL National Division

Fri 4th Apr 7:30pm Sheffield Steeldogs vs Romford Raiders PO
Sat 5th Apr 6:30pm Leeds Knights vs Hull Seahawks PO
Sat 5th Apr 7:00pm Milton Keynes Lightning vs Swindon Wildcats PO
Sat 5th Apr 7:00pm Telford Tigers vs Peterborough Phantoms PO
Sun 6th Apr 5:30pm Hull Seahawks vs Leeds Knights PO
Sun 6th Apr 5:30pm Peterborough Phantoms vs Telford Tigers PO
Sun 6th Apr 6:30pm Swindon Wildcats vs Milton Keynes Lightning PO
Sun 6th Apr 5:15pm Romford Raiders vs Sheffield Steeldogs PO

Stay updated on all the latest fixtures and results from across the NIHL regional divisions, WNIHL and junior leagues.

To send us your latest club news, please click here!