Leeds Knights coach Ryan Aldridge backs rivals to be among NIHL National contenders
Ryan Aldridge believes NIHL National rivals Milton Keynes Lightning are a team moving in the right direction – one that may end the wait for a first regular season title.
The Lightning - coached by Aldridge’s brother-in-law and GB Men’s head coach Pete Ruseell - handed Aldridge’s Leeds Knights their heaviest-ever defeat last Saturday when they won 8-2 at Elland Road.
After six games, they remain the only unbeaten team in the UK second-tier and top the standings - two points above Hull Seahawks.
Three times the Lightning came home second in the regular season table since NIHL National first came into being back in 2019 - three times, it was behind Leeds that they finished.
And while Aldridge is keen to regain the regular season crown he saw pass to Swindon Wildcats in 2025-26 - he believes the Lightning are likely to be a serious contender.
“You've got a team that's hungry, that’s direct and has been desperate to win a championship for the last few years,” said Aldridge. “They probably should have won one, but maybe they didn't have certain elements.
“They've changed those elements this year and they're flying. They are a good hockey team and obviously well-coached. Pete’s a great coach and they are moving in one direction.
“They've been to ours and had some bad nights over the years. Some of their guys will have remembered that and the more they scored, the more they wanted it. They were hungry and everybody wants to coach a team like that.”
The Knights rebounded from their worst-ever defeat with a 5-1 road win at Romford Raiders 24 hours later.
They will look to build on that when they host Basingstoke Bison on Saturday (face-off 6.30pm) before making a first trip of the season on Sunday to Ice Sheffield to take on Sheffield Steeldogs (4pm).