Coventry moved level on points with Newcastle courtesy of a 3-1 victory over the Vipers as Nottingham maintained their two-point lead in the bmibaby Elite League.

Bruce Richardson scored twice as the table-topping Panthers cruised to a 5-2 win away to lowly Hull Stingrays. Cameron Mann, Dominic D'Amour and Sean McAslan were also on the mark, Lee Mitchell striking twice on the powerplay for the Rays.

In the night's other game, Belfast Giants beat Cardiff Devils 3-1 in Northern Ireland.