Saturday’s dramatic 4-0 win over the Solway Sharks gave fans a special moment to remember. 16-year-old Shaddai Twumasi stole the show, making an unexpected entrance with 12 minutes left on the clock. He pulled off a series of excellent saves to secure the shutout, with the MKL Arena erupting in roars and cheers for the young netminder.

On Sunday, Lightning travelled to Hull and battled through a tight contest, eventually claiming a thrilling overtime win. It was a superb team effort, with Jarvis Hunt standing out as Man of the Match. Scoring in back-to-back games, Hunt notched a crucial goal, excelled on the penalty kill, and showed relentless work ethic all over the ice.

This past weekend, our team competed in two exciting games. On Saturday, we faced a challenging start, with the first period seeing some disconnect in our systems. However, the team rallied and showcased significant improvement in the second and third periods, ultimately delivering a strong performance. A highlight was the remarkable team bonding and the standout contribution from Shaddai, who energized both the team and the fans.

On Sunday, we faced a hard-fought battle against a tough opponent. Despite some mental lapses and moments of inconsistency, our team displayed great resilience and determination, ultimately securing the win. While it wasn’t our best performance, the grit we showed was commendable, and it sets the stage for the upcoming matchup against a strong Peterborough team.

"Edward Knaggs – Defence (#25)

Experienced defenceman Edward Knaggs is a steadying presence on the Lightning blue line. At 27, the English blueliner has become a cornerstone of MK’s defence, known for his calmness, positioning, and ability to move the puck effectively. In 2024/25, he suited up for 54 games, adding 5 goals and 18 assists for 23 points, while logging big minutes against tough opposition. Knaggs rarely gets flustered under pressure, and his composure helps settle the team in difficult moments. With his experience and consistency, number 25 will again be a vital part of MK’s defensive unit this season.

View from the Coach “Eddie is dependable and calm. He plays tough minutes, he makes smart plays, and he’s a leader on our blue line,” said Tim Wallace.

Quick Facts Age: 27 | Nationality: English | Shoots: Left 2024/25 Stats (NIHL National, MK Lightning): 54 GP – 5 G – 18 A – 23 PTS Style: Steady, composed defenceman who logs heavy minutes One to watch: A defensive leader who brings calm and consistency"

Experience defines Luke Ferrara, who has worn the Phantoms jersey at every stage of his career. After spells across the Elite League with Coventry and Nottingham, he returned home to Peterborough and immediately found top gear. In 2023–2024 he delivered a standout NIHL campaign with 54 games, 50 goals and 56 assists for 106 points (2023–2024 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 54, G–A–P 50–56–106, PIM 18). Last season he followed that up with 44 goals and 50 assists in 50 outings, again placing himself among the league’s elite scorers (2024–2025 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 50, G–A–P 44–50–94, PIM 19). Now back for 2025–2026, his early return of seven points from three games shows his consistency has not faded. With more than 1,000 senior appearances to his name and career totals nudging 1,000 points (career totals: GP 1034, G 455, A 499, PTS 954, PIM 365), Ferrara remains the focal point of the Phantoms’ offence.

As the Phantoms prepare for this clash, Ferrara's performance will be pivotal. His track record against top-tier competition and his knack for stepping up in crucial moments could very well tip the scales in Peterborough's favour. Fans can expect an exciting display from this seasoned forward, who continues to be a cornerstone of the Phantoms' offensive strategy. (2024-2025 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 50, G–A–P 44–50–94, PIM 19)

Physical presence and scoring touch come together in Cameron Hough, the Canadian forward who made an instant impact in his first NIHL season. Joining the Phantoms in 2024–2025, he posted 54 goals and 38 assists in 52 games, a remarkable return in his debut year on British ice (2024–2025 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 52, G–A–P 54–38–92, PIM 85). His background spans the Ontario Hockey League, the SPHL and even stints in France, giving him a versatile skillset.

At 6’3”, he uses his frame well, not shying from physical battles while also demonstrating a natural finishing ability. Three goals in his first three games of 2025–2026 suggest there will be no second-season dip (2025–2026 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 3, G–A–P 3–2–5, PIM 0). Hough adds balance to Ferrara’s finesse, giving Peterborough a power-forward threat who can turn half chances into goals.

Corey McEwen is a player Lightning fans know well, having iced in Milton Keynes colours across the last two seasons. He now lines up against his former club after rejoining Peterborough for 2025–2026, already contributing five points from his first three games (2025–2026 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 3, G–A–P 2–3–5, PIM 0). His journey has taken him through the NOJHL, Canadian university hockey and spells in Swindon and Telford before establishing himself in the NIHL.

While his scoring touch was evident with 18 goals and 30 assists for Peterborough in 2022–2023 (2022–2023 • NIHL • Peterborough Phantoms: GP 42, G–A–P 18–30–48, PIM 10), Lightning supporters will remember his steady contribution in Blue and White, where he managed 21 points in 38 games last season (2024–2025 • NIHL • Milton Keynes Lightning: GP 38, G–A–P 13–8–21, PIM 6). A quick skater with an eye for creating space, McEwen gives the Phantoms secondary scoring depth and will be eager to impress back on MK ice.

As the Lightning prepare to host the Phantoms, all eyes will be on McEwen to see if he can leverage his past experiences and current form to make a significant impact against his former teammates. His performance could be a key factor in determining the outcome of this highly anticipated encounter.