Lightning’s stuttering run in to the end of the league season continued with a disappointing 4-3 defeat at Sheffield Steeldogs.
Steeldogs beat Lightning for the first time this season in a penalty filled game which saw the hosts’ player coach Andre Payette thrown out after only five minutes.
But despite that Lightning were unable to gain any advantage with another poor display in which the powerplay units failed to spark.
Payette clashed with Leigh Jamieson who was given two minutes for tripping Payette whose response earned him his marching orders.
After a goalless first period it was Sheffield who scored first through Lloyd Gibson on 25mins 48secs, assisted by Edgars Berberis.
Both sides were reduced to four skaters when Michael Wales and Lee Haywood were sent to the sin bin and that gave Lukas Zatopek the chance of a 27th minute equaliser.
Lewis Christie set up Matt Towalski to put the visitors in front after 32mins 56secs but less than two minutes later, at 33mins 59secs, Stuart Brittle tied things up.
Chris Sykes edged the steel men ahead on 34mins 42secs for a 3-2 scoreline at the second break.
There were no further goals until 10mins 52secs from the final buzzer – Kriss Grundmanis adding to Steeldogs’ total.
Lightning had a brief powerplay when Gibson was penalised for delaying the game but that was cancelled out as Gary Clarke was called for holding. Nevertheless Lewis Christie, assisted by Andre Smulter, was able to reduce the gap with a goal while the teams were four on four at 54mins 11secs.
The game ended in a bad tempered manner with Clarke given two plus 10 minutes for checking to the head, his opposite number, Brittle, receiving the same penalty and at the same time Zatopek and his opponent, Lewis Bell, received two plus two minutes for roughing, plus a game penalty for leaving the bench.
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