Basingstoke Bison extended their lead at the top of the EPL to five points after recording two shut-out victories against Peterborough Phantoms.

Joe Rand (2) and Ryan Watt got the goals in a 3-0 home success, while Aaron Connolly (2) and Joe Greener were on the scoresheet as Bison won by the same scoreline on the road.

Goals by Max Birbraer, Jason Silverthorn, Peter Szabo and Rick Plant helped Telford to a 4-3 win at home to Manchester Pheonix, and Birbraer was on target again with two more as Tigers triumphed 6-4 at Bracknell Bees.

A first period blitz by Swindon Wildcats helped them to a 3-0 win on home ice against Sheffield Steeldogs – Carlo Finucci, Tomasz Malasinski and Toms Rutkis scored the goals.

Wildcats failed to follow up at Guildford Flames – Matic Kralj’s overtime strike condemning them to a 4-3 defeat.

Frantisek Bakrlik’s second of the night secured a 3-2 overtime success for MK Lightning at Sheffield.

Hull Pirates enjoyed a four-point weekend – winning 6-3 at home to Bracknell, before recovering from 4-3 down with two minutes remaining to win 5-4 at Manchester.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Saturday

Basingstoke Bison 3-0 Peterborough Phantoms
Hull Pirates 6-3 Bracknell Bees
Swindon Wildcats 3-0 Sheffield Steeldogs
Telford Tigers 4-3 Manchester Phoenix

Sunday

Bracknell Bees 4-6 Telford Tigers
Guildford Flames 4-3 Swindon Wildcats (OT)
Manchester Phoenix 4-5 Hull Pirates
Peterborough Phantoms 0-3 Basingstoke Bison
Sheffield Steeldogs 2-3 MK Lightning (OT)

(Image permission: John Uwins)