What a win! What a performance! What a ‘Knightmare’ for Leeds as Matt Smital claimed his first shut-out in Lightning colours as MK’s play-off campaign begun in style with a 5-0 victory at Planet Ice on Friday. Leeds did not know what had hit them with Lightning on fire and blitzing netminder Sam Gospel’s goal from the first buzzer – Liam Stewart’s great shot testing him in the third minute before Hallden Barnes-Garner’s cross-cum-shot from the left was almost tipped in by Tim Wallace a minute later. The host’s dominance did not pay off in the first period with [...]

A third period fightback by Milton Keynes Lightning almost spoiled the party at Telford Tigers’ last home league game of the season – Lewis Clifford’s men twice taking the lead, only to lose out by the odd goal in a 5-4 defeat. The result will give encouragement to Lightning who meet their Shropshire rivals in the play-off group games beginning next weekend – a double header against Leeds Knights starting the campaign for the city outfit. After Tigers took a 2-0 lead by the 24th minute it looked as though it was business as usual for the league champions – [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning returned to winning ways in their final National Ice Hockey League game of the season, but they did it the hard way, coming from behind three times to beat Bees 6-4 at Planet Ice on Saturday. With eyes perhaps on the post-season play-off campaign, Lightning’s need for a win was less desperate than that of Bees who needed a point from overtime to secure their place. For most of the second half of the game, it looked as though Bees would achieve their target. They went into the final ten minutes playing an increasingly defensive strategy, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]