Having finished top of the pile throughout the season, the Northern Irish side were keen to lay down a play-off marker and did just that in their first-leg tie, ensuring the second leg should be a mere formality.

Jeff Mason, Craig Peacock, Robert Dowd, Jon Pelle and Mike Hoffman all got on the scoresheet, while netminder Stephen Murphy posted his eighth shut-out of the season.

The other two quarter-final, first-leg clashes played on Saturday evening ended in draws.

All square

Hull Stingrays and Sheffield Steelers finished a thrilling Yorkshire derby by the Humber at 2-2.

After a goalless first period it was the visitors who took the lead, with a strike from Jonathan Phillips at 29.25. The home side restored equality at 38.35 when Dominic Osman netted.

The Steelers went ahead for a second time with a powerplay goal from Neil Clark at 50.53 but the Stingrays responded once again through Derek Campbell at 52.37 on the powerplay.

Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils also drew, sharing six goals in the Midlands.

The Blaze opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal from Scott Dobben at 3.14.

But the Devils were soon back on level terms with a strike from Woo Sang Park at 7.07.

Although both teams had plenty of chances, there was only the one goal in the second period and it came the way of the home team as Peter Nylander netted at 25.22.

The Blaze opened up a two-goal advantage with a powerplay goal from Owen Fussey at 44.07 but were unable to hold onto this lead as Dobben with his second of the game at 50.14 and then player/coach Gerad Adams tied it up at 3-3.

Comeback

Nottingham Panthers are the first team to secure their place at finals weekend, beating Braehead Clan 5-1 in overtime to take a 5-4 aggregate win.

Seemingly down and out after a 3-0 first-leg loss, the Panthers won 4-1 in regulation time and then took it in the extra period.

Brandon Benedict was Nottingham's hero, slotting the game winner 80 seconds into overtime.