Elite League: Fife Flyers soar at home, Belfast Giants and Nottingham Panthers record comfortable win

Kris Hogg was the hero for the hosts, netting a hat-trick after Tom Sistito - Sheffield's latest recruit from the locked-out NHL - had broken the deadlock in the second period.

Elsewhere, Belfast maintained top spot in the table with a 6-3 triumph over the Cardiff Devils.

The Welsh side actually took the lead through a goal from Tyson Marsh, but Adam Keefe levelled matters before two strikes in as many minutes from Scott Champagne and Daymen Rycroft put the Giants in command.

Andrew Fournier made it 4-1 to the hosts and although Cardiff bagged a quick-fire brace of their own to get back in contention, Noah Clarke gave Belfast some breathing space again. Keefe's second of the contest sealed the result late on.

Edinburgh Capitals welcomed back netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky from suspension, though his return couldn't stop them slumping to a 6-3 loss at Braehead.

The Clan were indebted to a hat-trick from Jade Galbraith, the marksman scoring twice in the opening period before grabbing a third at 21.51, while NHL signing Drew Miller netted his first for the club to make it 6-1.

Meanwhile, in-form Nottingham Panthers moved up to second in the table with a 6-0 rout of Hull Stingrays.

Panthers goaltender Craig Kowalski turned away all 17 shots he faced to become just the third goalie this season to record a shut out.