Edinburgh Capitals gave their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup a huge boost after they saw off the Sheffield Steelers 6-2.

Doug Christiansen’s troops were preparing for a Steelers backlash following their 6-5 Elite League penalty shoot-out win on Saturday but easily ensured the tides were not turned.

Jeff Hutchins – a former Sheffield Steeler – led the way with a double while Andrew Sharp, Simon Lambert, Mark Smith and Mark Garside completed the scoring.

Matt Hubbauer and Robert Dowd replied for Sheffield but it was nowhere near enough as they slumped to their third straight defeat.

Edinburgh have just one group cup game left and lie joint-second with Sheffield who despite having three in hand will need to improve if they are to qualify.