Sheffield Steeldogs were sent home with the tails between their legs for the second time this season when Lightning cruised to a 7-2 victory at the Thunderdome.

Goalie Barry Hollyhead was sidelined with a sprained ankle so under 18s goalie Chris Gill backed up Alex Mettam.

The result was hardly in doubt from the moment Michael Wales set up Grant McPherson to score on 2mins 9secs and when both teams were reduced to four skaters in the ninth minute with Matt Towalski and Lewis Bell both called for slashing, it just gave MK extra space from which Leigh Jamieson went behind the net to pass to Monir Kalgoum to register number two at 10mins 37secs.

With 43 seconds remaining on the period Andre Smulter smashed the puck past goalie Ben Bowns to make it 3-0 at the first break.

Lightning were slightly unfortunate to concede a short-handed goal when Jamieson was serving time for tripping – Lloyd Gibson’s strike from the blue line only just trickling over the line at 24mins 38secs.

It was a momentary blip though as Gary Clarke netted at the third attempt on 27mins 35secs – Adam Brittle and Kalgoum efforts both being blocked seconds before.

Lukas Zatopek set up Matt Towalski to score at the right hand side after 34mins 18secs before a powerplay goal from Jamieson – getting a touch on a blue line drive by Zatopek – made it 6-1.

Steeldogs inability to do anything with their powerplay chances hit them again when Michael Farn was penalised for interference – MK going into the second interval 6-1 ahead.

The game was already won so Lightning were able to give extra ice time to youngster Jacob Heron and Jamie Line in the third period – Adam Carr dropping back into defence.

But it did not stop Brittle adding a seventh goal on 45mins 1secs.

With three minutes to go Gill was given a taste of the action, replacing Mettam in goal, and he was slightly unlucky when Nicky Lewis scored Steeldogs second goal with 46 seconds to go.