CHELMSFORD Chieftains bounced back to top form with an emphatic 12-2 win in the National Ice Hockey League.

The Chieftains thrashed the Basingstoke Buffalos at the Riverside Leisure Centre to return to winning ways after a heavy reverse against leaders Oxford City Stars last time out.

And they were deserving winners on Sunday, with the first goal coming 55 seconds after the face off.

Michal Oravec opened the scoring with a well taken finish, James Ayling providing the telling assist for his team-mate.

Ross Brears made it 2-0 shortly afterwards - after some excellent combination play from TJ Fillery and Tom Watson put him in the clear.

Fillery then benefitted from some good work by Brears as Chelmsford continued to dominate the first period.

Cameron Bartlett and Grant Bartlett scored the final two goals of the period to put the home team 5-0 up after 20 minutes.

The brothers combined again once play restarted, Cameron on target before the Buffalo’s did make an impression on the scoreboard.

A goal in the powerplay was followed up by several more home goals.

Anthony Leone scored after neat work by Cameron Bartlett, who completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, before a goal apiece from Oravec and the visitors made it 9-2.

Chelmsford scored three unanswered goals in the final period - Grant Bartlett netting all three to finish the game with four goals and keep the Chieftains fourth in the standings.

Chieftains are not in league action this weekend but will return to the ice on Saturday, February 17 at ninth-placed Cardiff Fire, who are three places below them in the standings.