Lightning gained quick revenge on rivals Peterborough Phantoms with one of their best performances of the season to win 6-2 at Planet Ice.

Swede Monir Kalgoum led the charge hitting a straight hat-trick and demonstrating how his presence has been missed since his injury.

With Lewis Christie also returning from injury, Lightning showed much more composure at the back than they have done in recent weeks.

Gary Clarke gave the hosts the perfect start with a powerplay strike after just 1min 46secs and with Grant McPherson snapping up a chance on 6mins 58secs, Lightning looked comfortable.

But Phantoms hit back through Tom Carlon while Lukas Zatopek was in the sin bin at 12mins 15secs and then equalised at 18mins 24secs thanks to the same player as Kalgoum was serving a two plus 10 minute penalty for checking to the head.

Michael Farn put Adam Carr away up the left to give Lightning the lead again on 32mins 16secs – the only goal of the second period.

The third period belonged to Lightning – and more especially Kalgoum . Clarke played the puck into Kalgoum in front of goal and he turned to put it above goalie Stephen Wall, playing on despite injury, at 46mins 35secs.

Kalgoum made it 5-2 on 51mins 55secs with a shot that looked to go in off the inside of the Wall’s legs. Phantoms called an immediate timeout and Wall was replaced by Damien King.

With 1min 41secs to go King was withdrawn for the extra skater, giving Kalgoum the chance to complete his hat-trick with eight seconds remaining.

MKL Goals

1.46 Clarke, Jamieson, Kalgoum PP
6.58 McPherson, Zatopek, Heron E
32.16 Carr, Farn E
46.35 Kalgoum, Clarke, Zatopek PP
51.55 Kalgoum, Jamieson, Smulter PP
58.52 Kalgoum, Clarke, Brittle EN

Peterborough Goals

12.15 Carlon, Glowa, Hutchinson PP
18.42 Carlon, Glowa, Hutchinson PP

MKL Penalties

12.15 Zatopek, 2 mins, hooking
12.36 Jamieson,  2 mins, checking to the head
12.36 Jamieson, 10 mins, misconduct
14.47 bench, 2 mins, delaying the game
18.24 Kalgoum, 2 mins, checking from behind
18.24 Kalgoum, 10 mins, misconduct
22.54 Farn, 2 mins, hooking
33.35 Clarke, 2 mins, hooking
37.07 Christie, 2 mins, roughing
38.09 Carr, 2 mins, delaying the game
39.27 Zatopek, 2 mins , roughing

0.47 Ziedins, 2 mins, tripping
4.54 J Ferrara, 2 mins, tripping
27.25 Ziedins, 2 mins, hi sticks
39.27 Wall, 2 mins, slashing
45.34 Millar, 2 mins, hooking
47.24 Yardley, 2 mins, roughing
50.32 Morgan, 2 mins, hi sticks
54.05 Lelenas, 2 mins, hi sticks

Shots on goal

MKL – Hollyhead – 11, 17, 11 = 39
Peterborough – Wall – 13, 9, 14 = 36
Peterborough – King – 3
Peterborough – Empty net 1

Referee – Joy Tottman
Linesmen – Jason Earl, Nathan Carmichael