Champion Steelers heap more misery on Bison

NEWLY crowned champions Sheffield Steelers ended their regular season home schedule in predictable style.

MR RELIABLE: Jody Lehman banked his ninth shut-out of the season as Sheffield Steelers beat Basingstoke Bison

The visit of basement side Basingstoke Bison - without a win in 27 matches - was hardly a test as Jody Lehman secured his ninth shut-out of the season.

Jonathan Edwards put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute and Ashley Tait doubled the lead soon after.

Jason Hewitt's shorthanded goal and Robert Dowd's third period strike sealed a professional 4-0 win. 

Edinburgh Capitals qualified for the play-offs for the second consecutive year, thanks to a 6-3 triumph over Manchester Phoenix.

Needing a win to be secure of a post-season campaign, top scorer Mark Hurtubise settled their nerves in the seventh minute.

Jason Cassells doubled the lead before David-Alexandre Beauregard reduced arrears with a powerplay strike. Kyle Home restored Capitals two goal advantage at the end of a frenetic first period.

Manchester edged the second period with strikes from Beauregard - his 59^th of the season - and Lucas Burnett sandwiched between Mark Paterson's goal for the hosts.

With their lead reduced to just one, third period scores from Hurtubise and Cassells secured the victory.

Elsewhere, Rick Strachan’s Hull Stingrays needed to beat in-form Cardiff Devils to reach the play-offs – but went down to a 5-2 home defeat while Coventry Blaze needed overtime to beat Belfast Giants 5-4.