Match Report: Peterborough Phantoms 6-2 AIB MKL – 27th March 2022
In-form Peterborough Phantoms capitalised on Milton Keynes Lightning’s slump to inflict a disappointing 6-2 defeat at Bretton on Sunday with three second period goals turning the course of the game. Despite their lowly sixth position, Phantoms are one of the form teams at present with a record matching league champions Telford Tigers of four victories from their last five outings. So it was perhaps little surprise that they continued their winning ways against a Lightning side that have lost all but one of their last six encounters. Coach Lewis Clifford will be looking for his charges to build up [...]
Match Report: AIB MKL 2-7 Telford Tigers – 26th March 2022
Newly crowned National Ice Hockey League champions Telford Tigers were in no mood to let up as they capitalised on a poor Milton Keynes Lightning performance to record a convincing 7-2 win at Planet Ice on Saturday. Having been declared champions following the loss by nearest challengers Swindon Wildcats’ to Basingstoke Bison the previous evening, Telford could have relaxed. However, they didn’t and Lightning felt the sharp end of coach Tom Watkins’ team that boasts a good crop of promising young players. Apart from the opening ten minutes or so of the middle period, there was little doubt about [...]
NIHL National Owners Group Agree Key 2022/23 Season Structure
Last week the NIHL National Owners Group met to agree the key principles and structure of the 2022/23 NIHL National season. We welcomed Bristol Pitbulls to the call, attending their first Owners Group meeting. The key points agreed were: The league will comprise 10 teams (following the addition of Bristol). Teams will play each other 3 times home and away, with no conferences The National Cup Competition will comprise the results of the first meetings of each team, home and away, with semi-finals and final to be played over two legs. Teams will be allowed to play up to 2 [...]
Match Report: Raiders 3- 2 AIB MKL – 20th March 2022
Lightning’s inability to capitalise on three third period powerplays ultimately cost them dearly when they went down 3-2 in overtime at bottom of the table Raiders on Sunday – putting a dent in their hopes of a top three National Ice Hockey League finish. Jake Sylvester sealed the game for Raiders, taking Dan Scott’s pass, to score with 1min 25secs of overtime remaining. Lightning had forced the extra period with a powerplay leveller on 54mins 2secs through a Sam Talbot assisted goal by Tim Wallace. However, they were unable to find the net on three other occasions when they [...]
Match Report: AIB MKL 6- 5 Sheffield Steeldogs – 19th March 2022
Milton Keynes Lightning survived a late surge by Sheffield Steeldogs to take the points with a 6-5 win in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Planet Ice on Saturday. Steeldogs came from 5-2 behind with less than nine minutes remaining to level at 58mins 35secs and force the game into five minutes of overtime that failed to separate the two sides. Both teams are vying for a top three finish in the league, ahead of the end of season play-offs. The hosts led 1-0 at the first break thanks to a Sam Talbot strike, assisted by Tim Wallace and Hallden [...]
Match Report: Leeds Knights 6-1 AIB MKL – 13th March 2022
A solitary Bobby Chamberlain goal was the only reward Milton Keynes Lightning returned from the long journey to Leeds Knights with as they went down 6-1 to end the weekend without any points. Knights are a much-improved side to the one that took the ice earlier in the season and under the guidance of coach Ryan Aldridge they will be one of the serious contenders for a playoff final four place at Coventry in April. The hosts took just 6mins 5secs to open their account when Adam Barnes beat goalie Matt Smital unassisted. Seconds later Knights also suffered the first [...]
Match Report: AIB MKL 3-4 Leeds Knights – 12th March 2022
A poor first period, together with another outstanding performance from probably the best netminder in the National Ice Hockey League, denied Milton Keynes Lightning victory as they went down 4-3 to Leeds Knights at Planet Ice on Saturday. During the opening 20 minutes, Lightning conceded two crucial goals that were to prove their undoing – both due to defensive lapses. In addition, Liam Stewart was unable to beat Knights goalie Sam Gospel who blocked his penalty shot attempt. On a brighter note, Lightning’s fundraising activities for the Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes Ukraine Appeal raised a staggering £10,152 - £5 [...]
Match Report: Bees 2-3 AIB MKL (OT) – 6th March 2022
A Bobby Chamberlain overtime goal gave Milton Keynes Lightning their first league overtime win of the season with a 3-2 result at Bees on Sunday to propel Lewis Clifford’s men into second position in the table. Lightning enjoyed two National Ice Hockey League Autumn Cup extra period wins but since then they had been on the wrong end of the overtime scoreline three times, twice after penalty shots. It was also MK’s first back-to-back victories since early January. The league title now looks out of reach but Lightning are in a battle for the runners-up spot with four other [...]
We Stand With Ukraine – Our Stance as MKL, and our Fundraising Support for the Ukrainian People
You have undoubtedly been following the devastating news of the situation that has unfolded in Ukraine over the last week. It is deeply worrying and distressing to see war breaking out between Russia and the Ukraine, with the senseless Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine. We are horrified and saddened by the stories we hear from the news. This tragic episode in human history has huge implications for us all, and the full repercussions of which are yet to be fully understood. We are proud of the widespread support from MKL fans and from our players, staff and community looking to [...]
Match Report: AIB MKL 6-2 Swindon Wildcats – 4th March 2022
Four goals in ten minutes destroyed Swindon Wildcats at Planet Ice as Milton Keynes Lightning chalked up a fine 6-2 victory in a game that had everything for the packed arena.Lightning maintained their four-goal advantage to the first break and add two more in the final period. In the intermission there were two fights plus a roughing clash which came close to being a fight – and in between MK assistant coach Ross Bowers’ comments led to his dismissal on a game misconduct for abuse of an official.There was even time for some hockey – but not much as both [...]
