Lever leads Panthers rout

Saturday's Elite League action saw Nottingham Panthers finally end their long drought against Sheffield Steelers.

Marc Levers' hat-trick helped the Panthers record their first regular-season win over their bitter rivals since 2005.

Elsewhere, there were away wins for Manchester, who got the better of bottom club Hull, and Edinburgh.

Belfast were also triumphant on their travels, breaking a streak of three straight losses when they saw off the challenge of Basingstoke.

Nottingham Panthers 6 Sheffield Steelers 1

A crowd of more than 6,000 at the National Ice Centre helped the Panthers record a stunning 6-1 victory.

Levers led the rout with a treble, getting the home side's first two goals in a game that saw a total of 147 penalty minutes.

A Johan Molin goal made it 3-0 before a shorthanded strike by Doug Sheppard briefly gave the Steelers hope of a comeback.

But, in an ill-tempered third period Nottingham made the game safe with quick-fire strikes from Kevin Bergin and Sean McAslan. Levers rounded out the scoring with his third.

Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Manchester Phoenix

Hull Stingrays suffered a 15th straight defeat to stay marooned at the foot of the table.

Scott Basuik fired Manchester ahead before Joe Tallari grabbed a brace to put the Phoenix in complete command.

Jeff Glowa and Dave Phillips pulled goals back but the Stingrays were unable to find a late leveller, meaning they are facing an uphill fight to make the play-offs.

Cardiff Devils 1 Edinburgh Capitals 3

Cardiff's miserable run of form continued as they were beaten on home ice by Edinburgh.

The Capitals maintained their play-off challenge as they handed the Devils a 13th consecutive league defeat.

It had looked like the hosts could be on course to break their losing streak when they went a goal up in the opening period.

However, the Capitals pegged them back before Ryan Crane and Martin Cingel took advantage of a final-period powerplay to seal the win for the away team.

Basingstoke Bison 3 Belfast Giants 5

Belfast enjoyed a return to winning ways as they saw off the challenge of Basingstoke.

After a run of 16 straight league wins the Giants had lost their last three, but late goals from George Awada and Mark Dutiaume secured the points.

The hosts played their part in an entertaining game, Greg Owen, Mikko Purontakanen and Brad Cruikshank scoring to level matters at 3-3 at one stage.

Awada's shorthanded effort in the final 10 minutes put the Giants back ahead though and they sealed the win with an empty-netter in the closing seconds.