NIHL preview | March 14-16

The top two collide in a mammoth Planet Ice NIHL National Division showdown this weekend, with MK Lightning and Leeds Knights hoping to move a step closer to getting their hands on the league title. 

The pair enter Gameweek 27 locked on 77 points at the top of the division, although Leeds could be two clear of the current league leaders by the time they meet at Planet Ice Milton Keynes on Saturday night, as a result of their trip to Romford Raiders on Friday.

The Knights also host Solway Sharks on Sunday, as part of a three-game weekend which sees them play their all-important game in-hand.

Milton Keynes, meanwhile, have a second outing of the weekend on Sunday, travelling to a Telford Tigers side hoping to secure their playoff spot ahead of next week’s final round of regular season fixtures.

Telford come into the weekend eighth, one place below Romford who will also have an eye on securing playoff hockey as they prepare for a three-game weekend.

In addition to their meeting with Leeds, the Raiders will also face second-bottom Berkshire Bees home and away in a Gameweek 27 double-header.

Solway Sharks could still finish in the top eight but need to avoid dropping points this weekend. However, their trip to Leeds on Sunday comes less than 24 hours after they welcome sixth-placed Sheffield Steeldogs to Dumfries.

Other notable games of the weekend include a double-header between Hull Seahawks and Peterborough Phantoms.

A positive weekend for either side could all-but-seal who will end the regular season fourth and head into the playoffs as one of the top seeds.

Fixtures – NIHL National Division

Fri 14th Mar 7:30pm Bristol Pitbulls vs Swindon Wildcats L
Fri 14th Mar 7:15pm Romford Raiders vs Leeds Knights L
Sat 15th Mar 5:30pm Hull Seahawks vs Peterborough Phantoms L
Sat 15th Mar 7:00pm Milton Keynes Lightning vs Leeds Knights L
Sat 15th Mar 5:15pm Romford Raiders vs Berkshire Bees L
Sat 15th Mar 7:00pm Solway Sharks vs Sheffield Steeldogs L
Sat 15th Mar 6:30pm Swindon Wildcats vs Bristol Pitbulls L
Sun 16th Mar 6:00pm Berkshire Bees vs Romford Raiders L
Sun 16th Mar 5:15pm Leeds Knights vs Solway Sharks L
Sun 16th Mar 5:30pm Peterborough Phantoms vs Hull Seahawks L
Sun 16th Mar 6:00pm Telford Tigers vs Milton Keynes Lightning L

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