The pre-season is over, the skates have been sharpened and the ice is ready to go.  Time to kick off our 2019/20 league and cup campaign!

Tickets

Still available online, by phone 01908 540020 and in person at the rink.

Game preview

By a quirk of the fixtures calendar Lightning and their opponents at Planet Ice, Hull Pirates, will both already have some knowledge of each other as they met in back to back pre-season challenge games last weekend.  Pirates, play off champions last season, won both encounters 7-2 and 3-2 but that will count for nothing when the puck drops for the first game that really matters.

With another week’s training under their belts, Lightning, under coach Lewis Clifford and his assistant Ross Bowers, will be looking to thwart Pirates’ threat and take the points to get their league and cup off to the best possible start.  The Humberside opposition have had a fine pre-season, winning all four of their challenge games against Peterborough Phantoms and Lightning.

Those games have seen some useful partnerships develop, including that of former MK man, Bobby Chamberlain and new Latvian import, Olegs Sislannikovs. The duo each had three assists – helping each other on two of the goals on Saturday while the equally prolific Brit Matty Davies had a hand in a second Chamberlain strike.  By way of contrast Pirates’ other new import, centre man Peter Fabus, has yet to make much of an impression on the points scoring. The Slovakian veteran bagged a goal in the first challenge match against Peterborough but hasn’t scored since.  He won’t be taken for granted though – nor will player coach Jason Hewitt and Davies who is probably one of the best home grown players in the league.

Useful partnerships in the MK side are also emerging with Cale Tanaka and Tomas Kana beginning to show promise while Ari Nähri featured on the scoresheet in both of last weekend’s games.  Further contributions are emerging from promising talent like Caly Robertson and Brodie Jesson.

To make your night as fun as possible, particularly if this if your first visit, here’s some key bits of information

Season Tickets and Plastic Sleeves

If you’ve not yet collected your Season Ticket, please do so before the game.  We’ve taken a lot of feedback from you all about the potential environmental impact of plastic sleeves for your tickets, so we have come up with a plan.  We have ordered an initial run of 100 sleeves which will be here by next game (28th vs. Leeds).  If more people want them we will get more.  Other options are to reuse last year’s which should fit.

Pre-match

Want to get in the mood?  Then check out DJ Berties match playlist here.  Want to book a shoutout from our matchnight Host, then head here or look out for assistant Host Oliver at the rink.  We have said a warm farewell to matchnight Host Jack Dennis who has been given an amazing opportunity.  As a Jazz musician, he’s been offered a regular Saturday night slot at Ronnie Scott’s in London.  We wish him all the best!

We’ll also have a very special presentation before the game of a cheque for the money raised so far by our fabulous Supporters Club. Thank you all for your support.

Timings

Door open 18:00
Warm-up 18:20
Match introductions 18:50
Play starts: 19:00
Approximate end is 21:45

Matchnight magazine

Buy one of our matchnight magazines from sellers around the rink.  It lasts for 4 games, and gives exclusive content, interviews, and the official team photo.  It’s also great to get signed by your favourite player.  It’s just £3.

Intervals

During the two intervals we will have some entertainment.  The second interval sees the popular Chuck-a-Duck competition which you can enter on your way in, as well as the 50-50 draw for which there are roaming ticket sellers.  Intervals last around 15 mins so its a chance to grab some food and drink.

Food and drink

There are a number of food kiosks selling hot dogs, burgers, Papa John’s pizza, jacket potatoes etc.  You can also buy soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, all of which can be taken into the stands.  Please don’t bring food with you as it’s not allowed in, except for water in a sealed bottle or an empty water container we can fill for you.

Atmosphere

Make some noise!  Start some songs.  Sing along.  On the ice, our boys will be fighting for the win so give them all the support you can.  Drummers are in block 11 so listen out for them!  We have been promised that the PA system has been fixed!  Let us know what you think afterwards.

Supporters Club

Drop by the Supporters Club table to check out their range of merchandise, ask about membership benefits and social events.

Post-match

If your a keen autograph hunter, wait in the area outside Papa John’s pizza in front of Block 4.  Once they’ve had a chance to shower and change, all the Lightning players will make their way through this area to sign autographs and say hi.  Grab a selfie and post it on our social media!  The players will then head up to the bar to meet fans and chat some more.

Our social media:

Facebook: MKLightningIHC

Twitter: @MKLightningIHC

Instagram: mklightningihc

#letsgolightning #MKLvsHull

See you next week?

We’re at home most Saturdays at 7pm, and tickets are now on sale to our next games.  Get them here!

Don’t forget that you can go VIP for £30 and we have some great Group discount offers.  More here