Lightning just edged out Basingstoke Bison to take a one goal lead to Hampshire for the second leg of the championship play-off quarter finals with a 3-2 win at the Thunderdome.
But they had to fight hard to hold onto their advantage following a dream start in which they took a three goal lead within the first eight minutes.
A stunned Bison immediately called a time out and managed to steady the ship before hitting back with two quick goals close to the end of the second period.
At times from the half way mark onwards Lightning looked a tired outfit but Bison could not grab an equaliser to take home with them.
Bison were stunned as early as 1min 53secs when defenceman Lukas Zatopek fired in what looked to be a harmless shot to catch goalie Dean Skinns unawares.
Lightning were on fire at this stage and they extended the lead on 5min 6secs when man of the match Monir Kalgoum crossed from the right for Gary Clarke to shoot first time past Skinns.
Both Lewis Christie and Bison’s Ben Davies ended up in the sin bin for roughing in the seventh minute and within seconds, while the sides were four on four, Lightning made it 3-0 when Kalgoum set Andre Smulter. He seemed to have all the time in the world before shooting high into the goal at 7mins 51secs.
As the period went on Bison started to edge their way back into the game but goalie Barry Hollyhead was on top form, making some vital saves.
In the middle session Hollyhead remained resilient despite Bison stepping up the pressure. His goal was finally breached though when Nicky Chinn was the provider for Ondrej Lauko on 37mins 29secs.
With 14 seconds to go to the second interval Steve Moria set up Viktor Kubenko to give Bison real hope of a third period come back. Fortunately it was not to be with Lightning maintaining an important 3-2 lead to the buzzer.
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