A Friday night trip to Romford proved to be one to remember, as Harry Gulliver put on a sensational display to lead the Lightning to a 6–3 victory over the Raiders. The forward was simply unstoppable, firing home a stunning hat-trick to earn his Man of the Match honour. Gulliver set the tone early, opening the scoring for the Lightning and showing relentless determination from the first drop of the puck. His drive and offensive instincts were on full display throughout the match, linking up seamlessly with his teammates to keep the pressure firmly on the Raiders. The highlight came early in the final period, when Gulliver struck just seconds in with a clinical powerplay goal, underlining his ability to deliver when it matters most. With his powerful shot, attacking mindset and tireless work rate, Gulliver once again proved why he’s such a key figure in the Lightning line-up and why his performance was worthy of the title.

Saturday night at Planet Ice saw the Lightning take on the Telford Tigers, with Harry Gulliver once again earning Man of the Match, completing an impressive personal weekend. Gulliver’s distinctive playing style and unwavering determination were evident from the opening puck drop, as he battled hard until the final buzzer. Constantly searching for openings and working tirelessly alongside his teammates, he remained a driving force throughout the contest. With under two minutes remaining in the second period, Gulliver capitalised on an opportunity to fire home an unassisted goal, showcasing his awareness and quick reactions. He followed this up in the third period, adding another contribution with an assist from his teammates as he continued to influence play. Across both games, Gulliver’s skill and commitment shone through, proving invaluable to the Lightning right through to the final call, a performance that fully justified his Man of the Match recognition once again.

Friday in Romford we had a slow start but did a good job growing into the game. Our skill level really showed in the second and third periods, especially from Dom’s line. We managed the game well down the stretch and closed it out the right way.

Saturday was a tougher night. We were a step behind in races and battles early and didn’t play to our identity around our net. The response we showed in the third period is the level we expect, and if we had found that earlier the outcome could have been different.

Consistency, energy, and compete are areas we’ll continue to demand from everyone, and that standard won’t change.

We now turn the page to a huge weekend against a dangerous Hull team, and the group is excited for the challenge ahead.

Sean Norris – Forward (#86)

Sean Norris is one of the NIHL’s most clinical forwards, combining explosive speed with a lethal scoring touch. The 25-year-old has not only excelled in the NIHL but also gained valuable Elite League experience with Belfast Giants and Guildford Flames, as well as representing Great Britain at World Championship and Olympic Qualifier level. In 2024/25, despite being limited to just 31 games, Norris produced at over a point-per-game pace with 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points, underlining his ability to change the course of a game whenever he is on the ice. A natural finisher, he finds pockets of space and punishes defences with his quick release, while his pace makes him a constant threat on the rush. With international pedigree and top-flight experience to his name, number 86 is not only one of MK’s most dangerous offensive weapons but also a proven competitor on the biggest stages.

View from the Coach “Sean is a pure scorer. He has that ability to find chances and finish them, and his speed makes him hard to contain. He’s a player who makes a difference every time he’s in the line-up,” said Tim Wallace.

Quick Facts Age: 25 | Nationality: English | Shoots: Left 2024/25 Stats (NIHL National, MK Lightning): 31 GP – 21 G – 20 A – 41 PTS Style: Fast, clinical finisher with high offensive instincts One to watch: A natural scorer with GB international pedigree capable of taking over games

Bobby Chamberlain presents the most immediate offensive threat. A direct, high-volume shooter who is effective around the net, he combines finishing ability with a physical edge that makes him difficult to contain once he establishes inside position. His output in the 2024–2025 NIHL season illustrates his importance to Hull’s attack (2024–2025 • NIHL • Hull Seahawks: GP 51, G–A–P 50–46–96, PIM 184).

Emil Svec operates as Hull’s primary play driver, linking transitions with sustained offensive-zone pressure. He is adept at finding soft areas in coverage and moving the puck quickly to shift defensive structures out of shape. His production in the 2024–2025 NIHL season reflects both his scoring and his creative influence (2024–2025 • NIHL • Hull Seahawks: GP 51, G–A–P 46–56–102, PIM 46).

Brock Bartholomew brings balance and continuity to Hull’s defence lines. He supports the puck well, maintains possession under pressure. His early-season numbers in 2025–2026 point to a player contributing through structure and reliability rather than flash (2025–2026 • NIHL • Hull Seahawks: GP 15, G–A–P 5–16–21, PIM 8).