It was a positive weekend for the top two sides in the Planet Ice NIHL National Division, with both MK Lightning and Leeds Knights going unbeaten during Gameweek 24.

Milton Keynes scored 20 goals in their double-header against Bristol Pitbulls as they preserved their cushion at the top of the division.

Leeds, meanwhile, were 4-2 winners at home to Sheffield Steeldogs in Friday’s Yorkshire derby, before visiting Peterborough Phantoms the following night and earning a 4-1 victory. Those results completed a perfect hat-trick for the Knights, who defeated Sheffield for a second time earlier in the week.

It was a far more mixed affair for Swindon Wildcats in third. They started the weekend with a 7-0 victory over Romford Raiders on Saturday but failed to make it a four-pointer, losing out at Telford Tigers the following night.

Hull Seahawks’ fine form continued with a perfect weekend in their double-header against Berkshire Bees, who remain two points adrift at the foot of the table.

Sheffield and Peterborough, despite dropping points during Gameweek 24, have now mathematically qualified for the NIHL National Division playoffs, meaning just two spots are still up for grabs.

It remains Romford and Telford who are in pole position, but Solway Sharks picked up a crucial 7-4 win against the Tigers in Dumfries on Saturday, meaning they are just three points adrift of the top eight.

Results – NIHL National Division

Fri 21st Feb Leeds Knights 4-2 Sheffield Steeldogs L
Sat 22nd Feb Berkshire Bees 1-4 Hull Seahawks L
Sat 22nd Feb Swindon Wildcats 7-0 Romford Raiders L
Sat 22nd Feb Bristol Pitbulls 0-11 Milton Keynes Lightning L
Sat 22nd Feb Peterborough Phantoms 1-4 Leeds Knights L
Sat 22nd Feb Solway Sharks 7-4 Telford Tigers L
Sun 23rd Feb Sheffield Steeldogs 4-2 Solway Sharks L
Sun 23rd Feb Romford Raiders 9-6 Peterborough Phantoms L
Sun 23rd Feb Hull Seahawks 6-2 Berkshire Bees L
Sun 23rd Feb Milton Keynes Lightning 9-2 Bristol Pitbulls L
Sun 23rd Feb Telford Tigers 3-2 Swindon Wildcats L

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

We’d like to extend our congratulations to all four regional NIHL cup winners – Billingham Stars, Chelmsford Chieftains, Telford Tigers NIHL 2 and Peterborough Phantoms NIHL 2 – who got their hands on silverware in their respective divisions over the weekend. 

Photo credit: Alistair How

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