IN ESSENCE, not a lot has changed at the top of the NIHL National table – other than teams are two more games into a gruelling 54-game season.

But, regardless of that fact, Hull Seahawks’ 5-1 home win over leaders Milton Keynes Lightning on Sunday night still represents a key moment in the club’s short history.

Granted, nothing is won, nothing is achieved at this early juncture of the 2026-27 campaign, but by being the first team to beat Pete Russell’s team in regulation this season - and so handsomely - it shows that this particular version of Hull Seahawks is, at this very early stage, a genuine contender.

As always, iInjuries - as with all teams in all seasons - will prove a major factor in deciding who wins what trophy this season.

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Finlay Ulrick came to the fore in Hull Seahawks 5-1 win over leaders Milton Keynes Lightning on Sunday night, scoring two goals and two assists. Picture: Kim Elliott/Seahawks Media.

placeholder image — DOUBLE DELIGHT: Finlay Ulrick came to the fore in Hull Seahawks 5-1 win over leaders Milton Keynes Lightning on Sunday night, scoring two goals and two assists. Picture: Kim Elliott/Seahawks Media.

But if the Seahawks can earn some luck in that department, this could become a year to remember.

The previous night, in Milton Keynes, the Seahawks were beaten 3-1 - effectively 2-1, given the Lightning’s third goal was an empty-net strike with Aleksanteri Heiskanen pulled from his net for the extra attacker.

The Seahawks actually got off to the worst possible start on home ice less than 24 hours later, going behind to a strike from Kell Beattie inside four minutes.

But Davies’ team have the best defensive record for a reason and it was not breached again all night, and they were level before the first break through a 16th-minute strike from Johnny Corneil.

NOT THIS TIME: Hull Seahawks' netminder Aleksanteri Heiskanen denies Milton Keynes' Jarred White during Sunday's NIHL National clash in Hull. Picture: Kim Elliott/Seahawks Media.

The second period was where the real damage was done to Russell’s team, outshot 17-7, they fell behind in the 33rd minute to an Emil Svec goal, the lead doubled five minutes later by Finlay Ulrick.

The same line produced Hull’s first four goals. The fourth - and Ulrick’s second of the night - came at 43.29 and it was then a case of seeing the game out.

The Lightning dominated the third in terms of chances but there was no way through, the only other time the net rippled coming in the 54th minute when Jack Musil made it 5-1 on the power play.

It ensured the Lightning’s lead at the top remained just the one point. The two next meet in Milton Keynes on December 12, with the Lightning visiting Hull on January 10.

Afterwards, Davies couldn’t hide how proud he was of his entire team.

“I'm really proud of them honestly,” he said. “Saturday night, sometimes when you put that much in and come away with nothing, it's tough then for the next day to get going again, but (they are) just a proper group of men.

“From day one, they've just bought into it. I'm proud of them, I am.

“I thought that was the best performance a Hull team has ever played in MK - even going back to the Pirates’ days.

“But here, I think we just got the bit between our teeth and just out-competed them.”

But Davies was quick to point out against placing too much emphasis on the win, with 44 regular season games to come.

“It's early doors and it's a long season,” added Davies.

“Them boys want to win this year and we know what we want to do. That team (Lightning) is a really good team.

“It's about points and it's about winning big games at big times. Tonight was no bigger, but to split the weekend with them, I'd have taken that all day long on Friday.

“It could have been four points, it could have been three, but it was two. Two really big ones.”