Lightning eventually eased to a 6-1 victory over Telford Tigers at the Thunderdome – but only after a disappointing first 30 minutes in which they failed to hit top gear.

Three goals in less than six third session minutes finally killed off any threat Telford had to offer – until then the visitors were still in with a chance at 2-1 to the home side.

A behind the net pass from Ryan Selwood was fired home by Josh Bruce on 2mins 7secs with goalie Alex Mettam defending the wrong side of the net.

The lead lasted just 1min 18secs until an error by Telford netminder Declan Ryan who left a gap to his right – allowing Blaz Emersic to net from Lewis Christie’s pass.

Michael Wales and Michael Farn had possibly the best of the chances for Lightning in the first session but the goalie blocked both.

Telford’s Marek Hornak was called for interference in the 24th minute giving Lightning a powerplay but they were unable to keep possession for long enough to make an impact.

The home side edged ahead on 31mins 48secs when Leigh Jamieson powered in on the net with Juraj Gracik getting the final touch.

It was a three goal blitz in the final period that finally knocked the stuffing out of Tigers. First Emersic’s pass across the face of goal found Jamieson in space and he had time to lift the puck over Ryan at 48mins 51secs.

Emersic then seized on a loose puck to score unassisted after 51mins 8secs before Jamieson won the puck on the right to race away to make it 5-1 after 54mins 2secs.

Lightning’s third line got in on the act with Matt Towalski, from Lukas Zatopek, adding the sixth goal on 58mins 56secs.

MKL Goals

3.25 Emersic, Christie, Gracik E
31.48 Gracik, Jamieson, Emersicv E
48.51 Jamieson, Emersic, Green E
51.08 Emersic E
54.02 Jamieson E
58.56 Towalski, Zatopek, Wales E

Telford Goal

3.07 Bruce, Selwood E

MKL penalties

38.35 Green 2 mins, holding
46.30 Poole, 2 mins, Hi sticks

Telford Penalties

7.36 bench, 2 mins, too many men
24.04 Hornak, 2 mins, interference
56.12 Senko, 2 mins, hooking

Shots on Goal

MKL - Mettam - 12, 7, 9 = 28
Telford 13, 16, 15 = 44

Referee Dave Cloutman

Linesmen - Nathan Carmichael, Paul Kennedy