ELITE LEAGUE ICE HOCKEY:

A round up of games from the Elite Ice Hockey League on Friday March 23.

Nottingham Panthers 7 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Nottingham completed their home league campaign with their ninth shutout of the season. Seven have come at home (five in the League and two in the Challenge Cup) with the other two coming on the road ironically against Edinburgh 8-0 and 9-0 in the Scottish Capital.

As well as goaltender Craig Kowalski posting a 22 shot shutout, Matt Francis netted himself a hat trick, with Sami Ryhanan chipping in with 1+4.

It also saw Panthers record their sixth straight win on home ice, whilst Edinburgh suffered their eighth straight loss on the road.

As a result Hull have qualified for the play-offs with the final spot now being between Edinburgh and Dundee.

The hosts opened the scoring with a strike from Sami Ryhanan at 3.50. They then had to wait until later in the period, before they doubled their lead, with their second powerplay, Jordan Fox took full advantage, as he netted at 16.30. Less than two minutes later, Matt Francis added a third as he scored at 18.05.

Nottingham went nap with the only goals in the second period that came a minute apart. Matt Francis with his second of the game got the first with 27 minutes on the clock and then Captain Danny Meyers got the fifth exactly a minute later.

Panthers added a sixth as sniper David Beauregard found the net at 42.54 and then Matt Francis completed his hat trick as he netted at 57.43.