The Paisley side opened brightly and found themselves ahead inside four minutes when Scott Cowan took a pass from Riddell to fire home in style. Pirates controlled proceedings from there on in and never looked like giving up their advantage.

With Malcolm sitting in the penalty box for hooking, Pirates doubled their advantage on the powerplay at the 12 minute mark. Cowan was on hand to notch his second from assists by Orr and Campbell.

And although chances came and went at both ends of the rink the scoreboard remained unchanged at the first interval with Pirates looking comfortable with a three goal aggregate lead.

First break: Paisley Pirates 2-0 Aberdeen Lynx.

Pirates were again first on the board in the middle session as McCamley got in on the act in the 25th minute.

However, the score was immediately nullified as Leyden raced to the other end to score the visitors opener only eight seconds later — much to the delight of the travelling Lynx support.

Two goals in two minutes from Pirates took the game away from the Lynx as first Blair, then Riddell, took the score to 5-1.

And with Orr emphasising the home side’s superiority with sixth in 36 minutes, it was all over.

Leyden pulled another back, followed by McIntosh in the last seconds of the period to give the scoreline a slightly better look for the visitors at the second interval.

Second break: Paisley Pirates 6-3 Aberdeen Lynx.

Play was scrappy in the early part of the third period but at the half way point, and for a few brief seconds, Lynx looked to get back in the game as Malcolm netted to bring it back to 6-4.

But Orr and then Hassan scored within 40 seconds of each other to take the game beyond any doubt and give their side a five goal aggregate lead.

Cowan duly completed his hat-trick with less than 20 seconds remaining — and a fifth goal for the visitors courtesy of Turnbull, merely provided some window dressing for the Aberdeen side.

Pirates now go through to the SNL Playoff Finals weekend on April 11/12 in Kirkcaldy, with Edinburgh Capitals, Dundee Comets and hosts Kirkcaldy Kestrels for company.