Basingstoke Bison extended their lead at the top of the EPL to eight points after picking up a pair of victories.

Ciaran Long (2) led the scoring in Bison’s 4-1 win at home to Sheffield Steeldogs, and he went one better with a hat-trick in their 5-3 success at Bracknell Bees.

Marcus Kristoffersson (above) scored twice for Guildford in their 5-2 victory at Hull Pirates, and Flames made it a four-point weekend with a 6-3 win on home ice against Swindon Wildcats.

Peterborough’s title hopes suffered a major blow after they slipped to two defeats. Phantoms were beaten 4-3 at Swindon and they followed up with a 6-3 home loss against Telford.

That result completed an excellent weekend for the Tigers who also triumphed 7-2 at home to Manchester Phoenix – Andrei Makrov (3) and Phillip Hill (2) topped their scoring.

Phoenix bounced back at home to MK Lightning as goals by Mark Thomas, Jacob Heron and Robin Kovar sealed a 3-2 win.

Lubomir Korhon and Arnoldas Boas both scored twice for Sheffield in their 7-5 victory at Hull.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Saturday

Basingstoke Bison 4-1 Sheffield Steeldogs
Hull Pirates 2-5 Guildford Flames
Swindon Wildcats 4-3 Peterborough Phantoms
Telford Tigers 7-2 Manchester Phoenix

Sunday

Bracknell Bees 3-5 Basingstoke Bison
Guildford Flames 6-3 Swindon Wildcats
Hull Pirates 5-7 Sheffield Steeldogs
Manchester Phoenix 3-2 MK Lightning
Peterborough Phantoms 3-6 Telford Tigers

(Image permission: Guildford Flames)