MK Lightning put further ground between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of the Planet Ice NIHL National Division with a four-point weekend in the first gameweek of 2025.

League leaders Milton Keynes began the weekend with a tight overtime victory on Friday against Romford Raiders, before returning home to secure a more straightforward 5-0 win over Berkshire Bees on Saturday.

Leeds Knights were unable to pick up any wins over the weekend, as losses at home to Hull Seahawks and away to bottom club Berkshire Bees resulted in a rare pointless weekend.

Lightning weren’t the only beneficiaries of a poor Gameweek 17 for the Knights, as Swindon Wildcats leapfrogged Leeds into second.

Back-to-back wins over Romford Raiders mean the Wildcats have now won their last five matches, and they remain four points off top spot.

Elsewhere, it was the away side who prevailed on both occasions in the double-header meeting between Solway Sharks and Sheffield Steeldogs.

Bristol Pitbulls scored double digits in their home win against Peterborough Phantoms, but the Phantoms bounced back in a low-scoring affair in the meeting between the two on Sunday, running out 2-1 winners in overtime.

And Hull Seahawks backed up their impressive win in Leeds on Saturday with a 7-4 victory over Telford Tigers on Sunday.

Results – NIHL National Division

Friday 3rd January Romford Raiders 4-5 (OT) Milton Keynes Lightning
Saturday 4th January Leeds Knights 1-2 Hull Seahawks
Saturday 4th January Swindon Wildcats 4-2 Romford Raiders
Saturday 4th January Bristol Pitbulls 10-3 Peterborough Phantoms
Saturday 4th January Milton Keynes Lightning 5-0 Berkshire Bees
Saturday 4th January Solway Sharks 3-4 Sheffield Steeldogs
Sunday 5th January Sheffield Steeldogs 2-3 Solway Sharks
Sunday 5th January Romford Raiders 2-5 Swindon Wildcats
Sunday 5th January Hull Seahawks 7-4 Telford Tigers
Sunday 5th January Peterborough Phantoms 2-1 (OT) Bristol Pitbulls
Sunday 5th January Berkshire Bees 4-2 Leeds Knights

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

Featured photo credit: Flyfifer Photography

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