MK Lightning closed the gap on EPL leaders Telford Tigers to four points after recording two excellent wins.

Frantisek Bakrlik (above) scored twice in their 5-3 home win against Guildford Flames and he added another four as Lightning roared to a 12-3 victory at Manchester Phoenix.

Milan Kolena and Jason Silverthorn both hit hat-tricks in Telford’s 11-2 home victory over Bracknell Bees, but the Tigers failed to follow up at Peterborough as the Phantoms claimed a 4-1 success.

Hull Pirates enjoyed a four-point weekend, winning 6-3 on home ice against Peterborough and 4-2 at Guildford.

Tomas Karpov (2) topped the scoring for Basingstoke in their 5-2 home against Manchester, while Ciaran Long (3) led the way as Bison triumphed 11-6 at Sheffield Steeldogs.

Tomasz Malasinski and Max Birbraer both scored twice in Swindon’s 7-3 victory at home to Sheffield and Malasinski capped an impressive personal weekend with the Wildcats’ deciding goal in their 2-1 overtime success at Bracknell.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Saturday

Basingstoke Bison 5-2 Manchester Phoenix
Hull Pirates 6-3 Peterborough Phantoms
MK Lightning 5-3 Guildford Flames
Swindon Wildcats 7-3 Sheffield Steeldogs
Telford Tigers 11-2 Bracknell Bees

Sunday

Bracknell Bees 1-2 Swindon Wildcats (OT)
Guildford Flames 2-4 Hull Pirates
Manchester Phoenix 3-12 MK Lightning
Peterborough Phantoms 4-1 Telford Tigers
Sheffield Steeldogs 6-11 Basingstoke Bison

(Image permission: Tony Sargent)