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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 the world is changing and that there have been some positive developments in government guidance. Currently there are a number of NIHL National teams who are in Tier 2 areas which would potentially allow fans back in, subject to various rules and conditions, to watch games in person. There are also some in Tier 3 for which the restrictions are, at the moment, greater. [...]

2020-12-04T18:27:26+00:00December 4th, 2020|
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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 the course of these discussions, we eventually emerged with the three Streaming Series teams deciding to take the plunge and get back on the ice.  We committed to work together, and also to share the experience and learnings we gained back with the other owners so that we could all together focus on bringing back the game we love in a way which is [...]

2020-12-01T19:03:20+00:00December 1st, 2020|
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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 viewer tickets? You don't get anything extra, but every little helps with your support of the club so if you feel you'd like to give a little more then choose this ticket! Supporters Club Competitions We may not be able to have fans in the MK arena, but we will still bring your favourite competitions to you with the Supporters Club Hockey wouldn't be [...]

2020-11-27T12:22:28+00:00November 27th, 2020|
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MATCH REPORT 21/11/20: AIB MILTON KEYNES LIGHTNING 4 : 5 SWINDON WILDCATS

All in Black Milton Keynes Lightning just came up short when they were edged out 5-4 by Swindon Wildcats in their second meeting of the Streaming Series at Planet Ice on Saturday. After losing 8-6 in the first meeting the previous Saturday hopes of evening up things were dashed by three third period strikes by the Wiltshire visitors. An edgy but even first session which ended with one goal apiece gave little indication of what was to come. As the second period went on Lightning gained a grip on the encounter by the mid point to finish the session 4-2 to the good. However that advantage was wiped out by a pair of Swindon strikes within the first three minutes of the third and from then on Lightning looked to be on the back foot for much of the remainder of the game. Lightning started with two new defencemen in their ranks - Zach Sullivan from Manchester Storm and former Wildcat Paul Swindlehurst, more [...]

2020-11-24T07:51:15+00:00November 24th, 2020|
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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 buying additional viewer tickets? You don't get anything extra, but every little helps with your support of the club so if you feel you'd like to give a little more then choose this ticket! Face in the crowd - You can buy your "Face in the Crowd" for all matches played behind closed doors up until midnight on Wednesday 18th November.   More details here.  [...]

2020-11-20T17:03:57+00:00November 18th, 2020|
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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 the right plays at the right times to keep us moving up the ice and be a big help with our transition game." Zach added: "I’m really excited to be a part of MKL for the rest of the Streaming Series.  Hopefully it is a huge success which showcases British hockey in the best possible way and leads to further games and a season [...]

2020-11-17T17:23:35+00:00November 17th, 2020|
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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 from the higher competition to fill gaps in their rosters – Lightning bringing back Lewis Hook from Belfast Giants plus Ross Venus and David Clements from Coventry Blaze. But it was some outstanding performances from the younger players, including man of the match, Ed Knaggs, that caught the eye. It was Wildcats’ recruit from Cardiff Devils, Matt Myers, who opened the scoring on 9mins [...]

2020-11-17T18:01:23+00:00November 17th, 2020|
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Streaming Series Roster Finalised with Reinforcements

Rounding out our roster for the Streaming Series we are delighted to welcome back a couple of players with AIB MK Lightning experience. Bolstering our defence is David Clements who has spent the last 5 seasons with Coventry Blaze in the Elite League.  Clemo played 23 games for Lightning in a side which featured current MKL stars Grant McPherson,  Leigh Jamieson, James Griffin, Bobby Chamberlain, Eddie Knaggs, Lewis Christie and Ross Green.   Also part of that team is our second reveal today.  Please welcome back Lewis Hook.  Hooky played 4 seasons for Lightning and left us a couple of years ago to join Belfast Giants, where he has picked up 37 points in 107 Elite League regular season games.  He’s well known for his speed, agility and skill.  He will join us whilst he considers a number of top European and UK options for his next step. Lewis Clifford had this to say about the guys: “I’m really happy to have Hooky and Clemo [...]

2020-11-07T20:17:50+00:00November 7th, 2020|
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Streaming Series Reinforcements: Benny’s back, and Ross Venus signs

The Reinforcements Let us introduce you to two -  one returnee and one brand new player. Returning to the line up is Ben Russell (who will now wear #55).  Ben made 41 appearances for AIB MKL last year, picking up 1 goal and 6 assists.  He joined us from Streatham, having previously made appearances for Peterborough, Manchester, MKL and some time in North America.  Welcome back Ben and thank you for stepping in! In a new addition to the line up, we welcome Ross Venus who joins us from Coventry Blaze.  26 year old Ross is an accomplished all round hockey player, having spent 10 seasons in the Elite League, and appeared for the GB team in a number of World Championship and Olympic Qualifier games.  Last season he grabbed 15 goals and 22 assists for the Blaze making him one of the top Brit points scorers in the league.  Ross will wear number #59. AIB MKL Head Coach Lewis Clifford had this to [...]

2020-11-05T15:18:35+00:00November 5th, 2020|
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Streaming Series: Four players step back for the series

As we prepare for the first game of the Streaming Series we’d like to share with you some updates to our roster. Working with our players and coaching staff over the last few weeks as we have been preparing for the games, we took a straightforward view: everyone has different circumstances and perspectives to their personal life and there would be a free choice for anyone on our team as to whether they would like to be involved in the series. We worked through this with each player, Cliff and Ross to understand what they wanted to do and how we could support this. Four of our fantastic players have decided that this series is not for them and we fully support and respect their decisions.  Let’s be clear, each of these players are a fully valued member of the MK Lightning hockey family, and continues to be on our roster and part of our squad going forward - they just won’t be part [...]

2020-11-05T15:21:45+00:00November 5th, 2020|
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