A perfect weekend helped MK Lightning retain their one-point lead at the top of the Planet Ice NIHL National Division.

Gameweek 21 saw Milton Keynes thrash Solway Sharks 8-0 on Saturday, but their trip to Hull Seahawks on Sunday proved to be a much sterner test and they required overtime to get the job done.

Leeds Knights remain a point behind as they continue their search for a third successive league title.

The Knights’ weekend began with a 7-3 victory at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steeldogs on Friday night, then ended with a 4-2 victory over fellow title contenders Swindon Wildcats on home ice.

It proved to be a difficult weekend for Swindon, who only managed to pick up one point from four over the weekend after falling to a surprise shootout defeat to Berkshire Bees at the Link Centre.

Despite enduring their lowest weekend points return since the end of October, the Wildcats still boast a sizeable cushion over the chasing pack and remain well-positioned to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from the top two.

Below them, one point from Gameweek 21 was enough to see Hull Seahawks retain fourth spot in the standings.

The big climbers were Sheffield Steeldogs, who made the most of their three-game weekend by picking up victories over Hull and Berkshire to move up to fifth.

They displaced Peterborough Phantoms, who came up empty-handed after an 8-4 home defeat to Romford Raiders was followed by a 7-5 loss to Telford Tigers.

The Tigers gave their playoff hopes a major boost by securing their first four-point weekend since mid-November.

They are now just one point behind eighth-placed Solway, having played one game more than them.

Bristol Pitbulls were one of the sides beaten by Telford, in what was their only game of Gameweek 21.

The Pitbulls are now just four points above basement side Berkshire, who were involved in two games which went the distance and came away with three points for their troubles.

Results – NIHL National Division

Fri 31st Jan Sheffield Steeldogs 3-7 Leeds Knights L
Sat 1st Feb Bristol Pitbulls 1-4 Telford Tigers L
Sat 1st Feb Milton Keynes Lightning 8-0 Solway Sharks L
Sat 1st Feb Peterborough Phantoms 4-8 Romford Raiders L
Sat 1st Feb Sheffield Steeldogs 6-2 Hull Seahawks L
Sat 1st Feb Swindon Wildcats 3-4 (OT) Berkshire Bees L
Sun 2nd Feb Berkshire Bees 3-4 (SO) Sheffield Steeldogs L
Sun 2nd Feb Hull Seahawks 5-6 (OT) Milton Keynes Lightning L
Sun 2nd Feb Leeds Knights 4-2 Swindon Wildcats L
Sun 2nd Feb Romford Raiders 5-2 Solway Sharks L
Sun 2nd Feb Telford Tigers 7-5 Peterborough Phantoms L

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