NIHL National Owners agree league structure and dates
Last week the NIHL National Owners Group met to agree the structure and timings for the upcoming 2021/22 season. Working on the basis that the government plans for bringing restrictions to an end broadly follow the published timetable we’re delighted to share that competitive fixtures will begin with a cup competition on 4th September 2021. Here’s the full details, subject to final planning and confirmation: Cup Competition from 4/5th September to 25/26th September League from 2/3rd October to 2/3rd April 2022 PlayOffs 9/10th to 23/24th April 2022 Coventry Weekend 30th April 2022 The Cup Competition will be optional and its [...]
‘Game On’ for September! 2020/21 Season Complete.
We are ‘Game On’ for September. Things are starting to move...here's the latest from the NIHL Owners Group. The end of March saw the conclusion of the Spring Cup which was a fantastic online showcase of hockey, great entertainment and a deserved overall victory for the Sheffield Steeldogs. Congratulations to all involved. The five clubs who participated looked carefully at the options to continue playing into April and May, but have decided that this is not possible. We would like to thank our fans, rink operators, EIHA and Andrew Miller for their support in making the Spring Cup a success. [...]
NIHL National Update
The NIHL National owners group has tonight released an update on an upcoming series of games which will be played during February and March. AIB MK Lightning was very much part of the planning and discussion of these fixtures, but we have decided not to take part in these games. We can see there are a number of benefits in these games taking place, but for us we would prefer to focus on our long term strength and sustainability with a view to participating in the full Season return to play we hope to see in September. We’ll maintain our [...]
Virtual Air the Bear 2020
A year ago we were humbled by the generosity of MK Lightning fans when hundreds of bears were flung onto the ice after the first goal in our fixture against Sheffield Steeldogs. In these difficult times it’s not possible for us to run our annual fantastic Air the Bear event at a game so we are offering two different ways to participate in our Virtual Air the Bear. Donate to Willen Hospice With a lot of charities struggling for fundraising opportunities at the moment, we have decided to give you, the MKL fans the option to make a [...]
NIHL National Update: Amazing Streaming Series Support and What Happens Next?
The NIHL National Owners Group met earlier this week to reflect on the Streaming Series and discuss the potential next steps in our plans to return to competitive play. There was general agreement that the Streaming Series provided valuable insight into the viability of behind-closed-doors play, and was very well supported by fans from across the UK. It provided fantastic entertainment over the three weekends and the group would like to extend huge thanks to everyone involved, including the clubs, rink operators, streaming providers and fans. Well done to all three teams who took part. Moving forward, we recognise that [...]
Thank you all!
So that was The Streaming Series that was. Three weekends of the first live hockey the UK has seen since March, and we have to say we’ve had a great time. Managing to grab the win away in Sheffield on Sunday night gave us a boost in what was a learning experience on and off the ice, and we’re so glad that we were a part of this experiment with the Cats and the Dogs. The series came about after an ongoing set of conversations that the NIHL National owners group has been having over the past few months. Over [...]
What you need to know about the Live Stream on 28th November
MK Lightning vs Sheffield Steeldogs On Saturday 28th November All in Black Milton Keynes Lightning will host our final live stream as part of the NIHL National Streaming Series. The stream will start at 6.45pm to make sure you can see the warm up and watch the show getting ready for face off at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 and can be booked by clicking here Please buy early - you are emailed a link that you need to access the live stream. Streaming Ticket – Additional Viewer (Optional) £3 If there's a group of you watching, how about buying additional [...]
What you need to know about the Live Stream on the 21st November
MK Lightning vs Swindon Wildcats On Saturday 21st November All in Black Milton Keynes Lightning will host our first live stream as part of the NIHL National Streaming Series. The stream will start at 6.15pm to make sure you can see the warm up and watch the show getting ready for face off at 7pm as usual. Tickets are £12 and can be booked by clicking here Please buy early - you are emailed a link that you need to access the live stream. Streaming Ticket – Additional Viewer (Optional) £3 If there's a group of you watching, how about [...]
Additional Defensive Depth with Zach
Following the first weekend of Streaming Series games, AIB Milton Keynes Lightning have added further depth to the defensive unit with the signing for the remainder of the Streaming Series of Zach Sullivan from Manchester Storm. Lightning Head Coach Lewis Clifford had this to say: "I’m really happy to have Sully on board for the remainder of the Streaming Series. We are a little short at the back at the moment so to have a player of his quality contact me and want to play is a huge boost. Sully is a solid Elite League defenceman and he will make [...]
Match Report 14/11/20: Swindon Wildcats 8 : 6 AIB Milton Keynes Lightning
Milton Keynes Lightning returned to the ice for the first time in eight months – pioneers in an experiment to bring back hockey without the fans as they travelled to Swindon Wildcats for the first of a series of six livestreamed games. While the result – an 8-6 defeat for Lightning may not be the one the team and fans would have wanted – the excellently produced stream attracted nearly 1,700 subscribers, some of them fans from clubs up and down the country, including those from a number of Elite League clubs starved of action. Both outfits drafted in players [...]
