A tough night in Romford saw the Raiders claim an 8-4 victory over the SLS Peterborough Phantoms, despite a late push from the visitors in the final period.
The Raiders started brightly, with Matt Hennessey called upon early to deny a breakaway, before the home side opened the scoring at 03:18 - with Jack Cooper finishing a quick move from Leo Bacallao.
Back-to-back penalties for Jarrett Baker saw the Phantoms spend a significant chunk of the opening third with a man-advantage, but it was Romford who came closest to scoring. A shorthanded opportunity for Brandon Ayliffe was kept out by some good padwork from Hennessey.
Barni Sari was the next man in the penalty box, with Bacallao subsequently doubling the Raiders' lead just 20 seconds into the resulting powerplay.
It was a good shift for the Phantoms' newest signings that followed, as Adam Berg and Dom Gabaj combined to create an opportunity on the break - before former Raider Ewan Hill fired just wide.
The Raiders extended their lead to 17- 16, as Dawson Osborn found the back post to make it 3-0, converting a threaded pass from his brother, Austin.
A coming together behind Hennessey's net saw both Andrew Coxhead and Joe Gretton head to the box for fighting, with an additional interference penalty on the Phantoms man putting them onto the penalty kill.
The Raiders started the second period with a similar intensity to the first. A three-goal advantage saw the wind in their sails, with Tjay Anderson and Jake Sylvester raining shots on Hennessey.
With Tjay Anderson heading to the box for interference, another powerplay offered the Phantoms a chance to turn the tide. A long-range Tom Norton effort was denied well by Ceci, before Barni Sari and Janne Laakkonen saw a breakaway effort bobble the wrong side of the post.
The Raiders added a fourth at 26:04 through Barrett Kirwin, before the Phantoms finally found a way through at 31:02.
Ewan Hill's last goals came in the form of a hat-trick for the Raiders against the Phantoms - but the tables turned to see him score his first goal in Phantoms colours against his former side.
Flynn Massie's patient play out wide allowed Hill to open up space in front of Ceci - firing home a one-timer on Massie's pinpoint pass for 4-1.
The Phantoms finally found a way through at 31:02. Flynn Massie's pass found Ewan Hill, who fired home his first goal for the club against his former side.
Will Bray entered the game shortly after Hill's goal - with a back-to-back powerplay and penalty kill making it difficult to settle.
Leo Bacallao restored the Raiders' four-goal lead on the resulting powerplay, rifling home a set-up pass from Barrett Kirwin.
It was another penalty kill for the Phantoms, next, with Barni Sari sitting for a trip. A shorthanded effort for Luke Ferrara almost doubled the Phantoms' scoring, before a Billy Thorpe sliding block held the Raiders at five.
The visitors continued to press late in the period, with Ceci holding off Louie Kynaston and Nathan Pollard, before the Phantoms pulled another goal back. Barni Sari continued an impressive weekend, converting a Morgan Clarke-Pizzo pass following some good work from Laakkonen.
A near-immediate response from the Raiders saw Barrett Kirwin restore the Raiders' four-goal lead - before Leo Bacallao completed his hat trick with a buzzer beater at 39:59.
The home side added an eighth just 31 seconds into the final frame, a fourth for Bacallao following some determined play from Tjay Anderson.
The Phantoms began to settle into the game, following this flurry of goals.
A smart interception from AJ Herring sprung Sari on the counter, with the young forward finding Lawrence on the rush, who made no mistake for 8-3 at 45:28.
Less than a minute later, new man Adam Berg took control of play - marauding forwards and firing a rocket high over Ceci to finish the game's scoring at 46:20.
More good work from the Phantoms' younger players saw Herring and Massie combine to create another opportunity, with Ceci standing tall again.
With the home side's momentum waining, Jack Cooper took issue with some Joe Gretton chirping, offering a fight to settle things. Gretton came away from the centre-ice tilt with a convincing win, ensuring the Raiders bench were aware as he was escorted to the locker room.
Gretton received a major penalty for his second altercation of the game, alongside a coincidental fighting penalty - so play remained evenhanded.
The Raiders held on for an 8-4 win, with local boy Ewan Hill named the Phantoms' Man of the Match after scoring his first goal for the club, and Leo Bacallao taking the honours for the Raiders after a four-goal game.