Season 2017-18: Swindon Wildcats (24th March 2018)

NIHL S1 Play-Offs Quarter Final 1^st Leg
Swindon Wildcats 4 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Though many observers thought this quarter final tie between the league’s second placed team and the Autumn Cup winners was too tight to call, through thirty minutes of the game the Wildcats looked like they might just run away with things as they established a 2-1 first period lead, and scored twice early in the second to increase their advantage.

The Phantoms were to start the game without top point scorer Pliskauskas (and would lose Owen Griffiths with a shoulder injury following a challenge from former Phantom Eddie Bebris early in the first), and came under pressure from the opening puck drop as Swindon came out with all guns blazing and a physical approach that the Phantoms struggled to deal with.

Swindon deservedly took the lead with something like seven minutes on the clock as Kelsall finished a 2-on-1 from Bebris and though the Phantoms had been under the hammer, Ales Padelek finished an almost identical move to the one that had seen the Wildcats take the lead with 8 24 gone to level the scores.

Chances were had to come by for the visiting Phantoms, who struggled to cope with the intensity and speed of the Swindon attack, and it came as no surprise to see Bebris restore the Wildcat’s lead on 12 31.

The Phantoms might have been somewhat fortunate to be just a goal down after twenty minutes, but the tie started to slip away after four minutes of the second, as Birbraer scored after 24 04, and just under four minutes later Bullas made it 4-1 as the quick breaking ‘Cats outnumbered the Phantoms D.

The Phantom tried to rally and a scrum in front of a previously unoccupied Renny Marr in the Swindon goal saw Bullas and Whitfield called for the Wildcats and Scott Robson penalised for the Phantoms.  The visitors got a lift from their renewed efforts and resilience in adversity. In the final seven or eight minutes of the middle period the Phantoms were the better side,  showing more fight and growing in confidence despite not finding a way to goal.

That changed within three minutes of the start of the final period as Salem bundled the puck home to reduce the arrears to 4-2, and the Phantoms pushed their hosts hard for the remaining seventeen minutes of the period.  Though the Wildcats held a two goal lead, in boxing terms the last period was the Phantoms on points.

All eyes then on Bretton tomorrow as the Phantoms have a tough, but not insurmountable task on their hands.  If they can match the Wildcats in the way they did in the final 25 minutes of the game there’s a real chance they’ll get the job done and qualify for Coventry. Anything less, and in the first half of this game the Phantoms were pushed back and found the Wildcats’ physical approach too much to handle, then the Phantoms’ season will be over.

Nathan Salem deserved the Man of the Match beers, though Leigh Jamieson, Scott Robson and Euan King all deserve a mention for solid performances.  For the Wildcats Max Birbraer was MoM.

A refereeing decision in the third went the way of the Phantoms when Nell thought he’d scored for the ‘Cats.  The officials stopped the ensuing play to consult the goal judge who confirmed the puck hadn’t crossed the line at a time when the Phantoms were finding their stride and when a further goal for Swindon might’ve finished the tie as a context.  I didn’t think the puck was in the net, but it was a close call for the Phantoms at that point of the game, and not a clear cut decision from our vantage point.

I suspect the Wildcats will rue the chances they missed before the Phantoms found their stride and can imagine that if the Phantom come out all guns blazing they’ll force Swindon back on their heels.

At 4-1 it was feeling like a bridge too far for the Phantoms as the big Swindon crowd urged their team onwards, and whilst a one goal deficit going into the second leg would’ve felt more doable, the fact that the Phantoms had the better if the last 25 minutes and scored the only goal of the final period will have given Coach Koulikov enough encouragement for the lads to believe a turnaround is possible.

On to Sunday evening, and all to play for …

footnote

It’s rare for me to change or edit after I’ve published one of these posts, but there is something I’m going to add for readers that weren’t at the game in Swindon.  Now I’ve seen the Phantoms in Swindon on many occasions – it is absolutely one of my favourite away venues and if we’re there we can usually be found at rink side within a few feet of the away bench.  It is always fascinating watching Slava and JB give their instructions,  Rochelle administer the running repairs, and the lads taking their turns to take the gate on and off the ice.  What was a real eye opener throughout this game was the leadership shown by Leigh Jamieson, who continually gave instructions to the lads, whether that be emphasising the game plan, or more often than not urging the young lads to play their game, not to panic, and to focus on the task in hand.  Jaimo was absolutely deserving of the A on his jersey, and led from the front throughout.

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

 

Season 2017-18: Swindon Wildcats (Friday 29th December 2017)

Swindon Wildcats 5 Peterborough Phantoms 4 (OT)

In this, the final league meeting between the two sides this season, it’s tempting to suggest that the Phantoms will be disappointed not to take the two points after taking a two goal lead with something like ten minutes of the game remaining.

The reality might be something different, as the Phantoms reflect on 7 out of 8 league points taken against the Wildcats at the end of an evening that saw a game ebb and flow, with the Phantoms seeing a first period two goal lead through Salem and Griffiths wiped out in a second frame that saw the home side tie things up through a brace from Aaron Nell.

The Phantoms lined up as expected, with Euan King in goal following the birth of his third child (congratulations to the King family!) and the Wildcats, bolstered by Eddie Bebris, also appearing to be at full strength in this battle of 2nd versus 3rd.

Chances were at a premium in the first period and the Phantoms were certainly good for their lead, making the most of their chances against a Swindon side that struggled to build any momentum.  Salem fired into the net on a Phantoms powerplay and Griffiths tallied just as another had expired (though it was difficult to know for sure whether the Phantoms were still on the powerplay due to the faulty game clock), giving every suggestion that the lack of discipline that cost the Wildcats dear in the game in Peterborough on Boxing Day would repeat itself.

The Phantoms went into the first break in control, but faced a different Swindon side in the second frame, as the Wildcats pinned their visitors in their defensive zone for extended shifts.  King was called upon and made three smart saves before his goal was breached, and as the ‘Cats grew in confidence the Phantoms struggled to clear the puck, conceded a second, and in truth were fortunate to go into the second intermission level.

If the first period had seen the Phantoms deserve their two goal advantage, the second period belonged to the Wildcats.  Chances did fall to the Phantoms, most notably to Ales Padelek, who was denied a short-handed goal by Marr at his near post, but on the balance of play the Phantoms could not have a great deal to argue about if they’d started the third period at least a goal down.

Though the Wildcats had chances, the Phantoms found their stride at the start of the final period and took the lead five minutes in via a Padelek shot from the blue line, and despite the fact that the balance of play was pretty even, Tom Norton scored a beauty to restore the Phantoms two goal margin with ten minutes to go.

The lead never felt secure as Swindon pushed hard to get back into the game.  Bebris scored a scruffy goal against his old team to halve the arrears and with little over two and a half minutes to go Nell scored Swindon’s fourth with his hat-trick goal, which sent the game into overtime.

With little under half of the extra period played Stephen Whitfield picked the puck up in the slot, showed great strength in holding off his man, and scored the game winning goal to the rapturous applause of the home crowd.

For the Phantoms Euan King was deservedly awarded the MoM beers, with notable performances from Owen Griffiths, Scott Robson, and Nathan Salem.

Whitfield took the beers for the ‘Cats, not least for a goal worthy of winning any game, but no one would’ve been surprised to see Nell take the award following his hat-trick.

Swindon is a tough place to come and the Wildcats are in a decent run of form, buoyed by an expectant home crowd.  The Phantoms did well to keep the home supporters out of the game for long stretches, and with a little more luck may have been able to keep the puck out of their own goal in the final period.  Nevertheless, an away point was possibly as much as they deserved after being on the end of considerable pressure and a 39 to 25 shot count.

The previous match up had seen the Phantoms play with intensity on their own ice; this performance saw them try to control the game in a calmer fashion, aware that their hosts would see plenty of the puck and put them under pressure.  There was no lack of effort from the Phantoms, and credit to the Wildcats for the way they came out at the start of the second, which prevented the Phantoms generating any sustained offence, but a third Phantoms goal at that point might well have led to a different outcome.

All eyes now on the Basingstoke double header, which won’t determine the destination of the league title, but which may change the complexion of the league table at the start of the New Year.

 

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

Season 2017-18: Swindon Wildcats (Saturday 23rd December 2017)

Peterborough Phantoms 6 Swindon Wildcats 2

MoM: Owen Griffiths

Well it’s been quite a while since the last home fixture for the Phantoms, and with a combination of events meaning it’s been even longer since a ‘beyond the blue line’ post it was good to get back to the hockey, as the Phantoms and Wildcats served up a Christmas crackers and reminded us exactly why we follow the sport.

If ever a week was going to be critical in the context of the season this feels like it is it; a double header against Swindon and Basingstoke could go some way in determining the league title (though it should be noted that the Phantoms have to play the Bison four times in the league before the season concludes).

The big story of the week the was the return to Peterborough of Eddie Bebris, though most disappointingly for Phantoms’ fans, not in the blue and white of the home side, but the red of Swindon, after 17 Elite League games (1+4) with the Coventry Blaze.  Bebris is hugely popular here in Peterborough, not least because of a stellar run in the team he had in the play-off winning season, and many will be disappointed that he hasn’t returned for a third stint.  Good luck to Eddie going forward, except when he’s playing the Phantoms, of course!

In other news, Euan King started in goal for the Phantoms after leaving the game in Sheffield last week and there being enough doubt about him playing that Dan Lane warmed up in case King wasn’t in a position to start.

Despite the fact that the Phantoms have only dropped three points in the league there have been some disappointing cup results and a feeling that the team have rarely got out of second gear.  If this was the case previously it certainly wasn’t the case on Saturday, with both teams serving up top quality hockey with real intensity and excitement in a game where there was uncertainty about who would win until the third period, where the Phantoms put Swindon to the sword.

The Phantoms were ‘at it’ from the off, desperate to secure the points in a key encounter, and despite falling behind twice there didn’t seem to be too much wrong with the way the home team were playing.

The game had been even before the opening goal, when Sam Bullas scored for the ‘Cats when the puck fortuitously fell to him on a powerplay, and the big #13 made no mistake from the edge of the crease.

Bullas’ goal took the game to another level.  Moments later Pick and Bullas dropped their gloves for the first fight we’ve seen in a long time here in Peterborough, with Bullas having the take down after both combatants traded blows, and Salem and Griffiths went close to a short-handed equaliser before James White (the game-sheet gave the goal to Padelek, but it very much looked like White’s goal) slotted home to tie the scores after twenty minutes.

With two minutes of the second period in the book Luc Johnson expertly redirected an Oliver Stone drive from the point to give the Wildcats the lead once more and it would take much longer for the Phantoms to equalise this time round, but Darius Pliskauskas’ first of the evening, a powerplay goal fired into an empty cage after Marr had saved a Weldon shot ensured that the teams started the third period on equal terms.

The final frame saw the Phantoms take the lead after 10 minutes. Penalties were key, as Owen Griffiths, Tom Norton and Glenn Billing scored third period powerplay goals as the Wildcats took 36 PiMs in the final twenty minutes, including a key 2+10 for Phil Hill for checking Padelek to the head.  Pliskauskas swept in an empty netter to complete the scoring late in the game.

Aaron Nell looked to the rafters as the penalties racked up, and certainly didn’t agree with all of Mr Brooks’ decisions, but an inability to keep out of the box cost the Wildcats dear.

The Phantoms have averaged 8 PiMs per league game before Saturday but racked up 22 of their own.  Following Pick and Bullas fighting we saw Owen Griffiths and Stephen Whitfield called for roughing, and late in the game James White and Luc Johnson had a dust up with Johnson securing the take down after another even encounter.  I’m not sure that anything had been said in the Phantoms’ locker room, but what we saw on the ice in terms of passion and a determination for the visitors not to take liberties was clear.  Like London buses I’m not sure we’d seen a fight all year, and lo and behold, there was a couple within a period.  Like fights or not, and I’m in the camp that says we don’t need to, to get fans off their seats, the way the third period got the supporters behind the team was something to see.

Well done to Owen Griffiths for grabbing the game winning goal, and to Euan King for an excellent display.  My MoM was Tom Norton for a performance that saw him cut off the Wildcats’ offensive threat throughout and getting a goal of his own, but in a sense picking a MoM is churlish after a terrific team performance.

Renny Marr was deservedly given the MoM beers for the visitors on an evening where even the addition of Bebris couldn’t see the Wildcats home as they gifted the Phantoms with two much coveted points.

Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we’ll be back at it against the Bison on 1^st January.  It could be interesting!

Season 2017-18: Swindon Wildcats (Sunday 10th September 2017)

Peterborough Phantoms 7 Swindon Wildcats 4

Two goals for Nathan Salem

The Phantoms’ pre-season programme wound up with a victory against a Swindon team that are predicted to do big things this year in an entertaining affair that saw the teams trade penalties and goals, bemoan decisions that should (an in some cases maybe shouldn’t) have been given, and which saw enough turnovers to fill a baker’s shop window.

Though the Phantoms started slowly they took the lead with a pinpoint shot from Nathan Salem that hit the top shelf above Renny Marr’s glove with twelve minutes on the clock for the only goal of a first period that saw the ‘Cats Whitfield, Birbraer (twice) and Stone all take a seat in the penalty box.

Despite being given these opportunities to punish the visitors the Phantoms’ powerplay flattered to deceive, and despite starting the second frame with a man advantage it would be the Wildcats who would strike next as former Cardiff Devil Chris Jones capitalised on the Phantoms failure to clear their zone, to tie things at one after twenty two minutes.

The Phantoms responded well to conceding, with Tom Norton scoring on Marr’s short side on 24 24 after good interplay with James Ferrara, and though Toms Rutkiss squared things on 27 18, Owen Griffiths would restore the Phantom’s lead in controversial circumstances with twenty nine minutes in the book.

With Chris Jones sitting a slashing call Tom Norton did well to feed an advancing Griffiths from the bottom of the right face-off circle.  The puck hit Griffith’s’ skate as he advanced on the back post and ended up in the net, and whilst the Phantoms’ forward may have been impeded by Jan Kostal there appeared to be a kicking motion after the puck’s initial contact with Griffiths’ skate.  Put it this way – if I’d have been the video ref I’d have washed that one out.

It wouldn’t be the first or last time the Wildcats would have a sense of injustice over the stripey’s decision making.

Ed Knaggs scored the goal of the game to make the score 4-2 on 32 54, dancing through the Swindon defence before placing a shot low past Marr’s left hand.

Just as had been the case in the second period, Swindon started the final stanza sharply.  Jan Kostal narrowed the arrears with barely a minute of the third period played, but Nathan Salem silenced the Swindon recovery as he restored the Phantoms’ two goal advantage just three minutes later.

Aaron Nell gave the ‘Cats a brief glimmer of hope with a bullet of a shot that beat Adam Long over his right shoulder to make the score 5-4, but two empty net goals, firstly from Ales Padelek who tipped a Will Weldon shot from point, and secondly, to great applause, from Jack Escott who found the net from just over the red line for his first senior goal sealed the Phantoms’ victory.

Takeaways

1. Though Scott Robson was Man of the Match and certainly had a good game, my tip would’ve been Nathan Salem. Nathan has fitted into the team from the off and I am sure will be up there when the votes for player of the season are counted.  Goals, aggressive checking and a willingness to get in the dirty areas.  What else can we ask for?

2.  Netminding duties were shared between Dan Lane and Jack Peacock in Swindon on Saturday, but normal service was resumed with a solid performance from Adam Long between the pipes on Sunday. Sure, Adam would’ve liked to have stopped Nell’s late third period strike, but that tracer would’ve beaten most netminders and no blame could be put on  the Phantoms’ stopper for that one.

3.  Ed Knaggs scored my favourite goal of pre-season. A shimmy took the puck round Kostal and the sublime finish was worth the entrance fee alone.

4.  Both teams were guilty of turning the puck over too cheaply and the both invited pressure which in turn led to mistakes and goals. The Phantoms’ coaches will want their zone cleared more rapidly and transition from defence to attack to be executed more rapidly and more accurately.

5.  The Phantoms’ powerplay stuttered all evening. Griffiths bagged a fortuitous PP marker, and though there was improvement in the third period, the Phantoms struggled to exert the pressure they would’ve wanted.

6.  I thought Chris Jones had an excellent game for Swindon, with a great deal of the visitor’s offence coming through the Welsh forward.  Kostal was a real asset too, and Aaron Nell will be like a new signing for the Wildcats after missing all but 16 games last season.  The ‘Cats have plenty of weapons up front and for long periods of this encounter their defence kept the Phantoms at bay.  Ultimately Swindon took too many penalties, and whilst I felt they were harshly done by on at least one occasion (when Phil Hill was called for netminder interference), skating for so long with a man down took its toll.

Pre-season is over.  Next up, the Bracknell Bees who have started their league season already.

Bring it on!

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

 

Are you ready?

Lots of Change, yet lots of familiar faces in the new NIHL South 1

After what seems like the longest off-season break for this blog since its inception way back in July 2013 it seems like it is time to get things underway again in advance of a season that has seen more change than at any other point in my time watching hockey.

So where were we?  My last post (here:  http://wp.me/p3I8ZK-jC) looked at the Phantoms joining the NIHL and we have seen an initial proposal agreed upon and then amended to give us a nine team NIHL S1.

Along with the Phantoms and former EPIHL outfits Basingstoke, Bracknell and Swindon we have Cardiff Fire, Invicta Dynamos, London Raiders, Milton Keynes Thunder and Streatham IHC.  Teams will be played twice at home and twice away with the top eight qualifying for the play-offs.

Whilst there have been considerable changes across all of the former EPIHL teams (including the Phantoms who say farewell to Stepanek, Auzins, Archer, Darge, Bebris, Levers and Stubley and welcome on board two big hitters in Nathan Salem and Leigh Jamieson and two top talents in Glenn Billing and Edward Knaggs), there are a number of familiar faces across the sides that the Phantoms will face this year.

What follows is only meant to be giving a flavour of some of the clubs and players that we’ll be seeing in the coming year; having followed the EPIHL for the last ten years I’m only too happy to recognise that there’ll be lots to learn about the clubs and players that we’ll see in NIHL S1, but hopefully readers will find what follows of some use.

We’re still going to see Vanya Antonov, Joe Baird, Aaron Connolly, Dan Davies, Tomas Karpov, Kurt Reynolds, Grant Rounding and Dan Scott in Basingstoke, along with Dean Skinns between the pipes and former Phantom Jaroslav Cesky.

In Bracknell Scott Spearing has taken over head coach duties, and has seen Jan Bendik return to the UK, with Shaun Thompson, James Galazzi, Matt Foord, Alex Mettam, Harvey Stead, Josh Tetlow (interestingly on a two-way with the Nottingham Panthers) all re-signing, and with one of the signings of the summer, our old favourite Frankie Bakrlik returning to Bracknell once more.

Swindon have also kept a large number of their EPIHL roster, with Steve Whitfield, Sam Bullas, Toms Rutkis, Jordan Kelsall, Jan Kostal, Max Birbraer and Phil Hill returning, with Sam Zajac (Telford Tigers and  netminder Renny Marr (formerly of the Elite League’s Coventry Blaze) joining Aaron Nell in Wiltshire.

What about the former NIHL sides?

This is new territory for most Phantoms’ supporters and will give us a a great opportunity to get to some rinks that we’ve not been to before, or not been too in some while at least.

Cardiff Fire have recently recruited the experienced Nicky Chinn, who Phantoms’ fans are most likely to have seen most recently in Basingstoke in the 2014-15 season, and who will be familiar with Callum Buglass and Michael Stratford (former Wildcats) and Alex Symonds (Swindon and Basingstoke).  Cardiff will have Joe Myers between the pipes – a former Elite League netminder who played in the same Slough Jets side as Ales Padelek (and of course Slava Koulikov and Darius Pliskauskas too) in the 2013-14 season.

We haven’t seen the Invicta Dynamos in Peterborough since September 2013 when a certain Alan Lack went toe to toe with then Phantoms Cesky and Nicky Watt in a fiery encounter.

Two former Phantoms in Mason Webster, who impressed hugely in the Phantoms 2014-15 play-off winning season and netminder Damien King who has seen action with Milton Keynes (Lightning and Thunder) and in New Zealand with Canterbury since leaving this neck of the woods are both in Gillingham with the Dynamos, and Phantoms’ supporters will also recognise the combative Bobby Chamberlain, formerly of the MK Lightning and Tom Ralph, who impressed with the Hull Pirates.

London (formerly Romford) Raiders skate out of the Lee Valley Ice Centre and are not short of names and faces that will be familiar to the Phantoms.  Phantoms’ Treble winners Euan King and Andy Munroe will be in goal and defence respectively, with Alan Lack making up a trio of former Peterborough men that are joined by a host of players (and Coach Sean Easton) who have been recruited from the Chelmsford Chieftains.

Milton Keynes Thunder have seen a number of the former MK Lightning players join Coach Lewis Clifford, along with a smattering of others who have EPIHL experience.

We will be seeing Grant McPherson, Ross Green, Tom Carlon, Tom Annetts, Ross Bowers, Jamie Line, Lewis Christie, Rupert Quiney, Gareth O’Flaherty and Rio Grinell-Parke in what will surely be a strong outfit this year.

Finally for now, Streatham are led by the hugely experienced Jeremy Cornish (former player-coach of Isle of Wight based Wightlink Raiders), have signed Michael Farn and Adam Carr (scorer of the penalty shot that gave victory to the Lightning in last year’s cup final against the Phantoms) from MK, and Ryan Watt from the Hull Pirates. Streatham are one of the historic names in British hockey, founded in 1932 and skate out of a rink on Streatham High Road.

In addition to the nine team NIHL S1 league the Phantoms will be involved in a National Cup competition, with the Sheffield Steeldogs and Hull Pirates being the other teams in our group vying for a quarter final berth, and an Autumn Cup featuring former EPIHL teams, this time with Basingstoke and Sheffield being the Phantoms’ group opponents.

And that’s it for now.  Oh yes – you’ll remember, clubs are now recruiting two imports and can only have one on the ice at a time, and there are no import netminders.

That just about covers it for now.

The Phantoms are at home on Sunday 3^rd September and Sunday 10^th September in Challenge Fixtures against Basingstoke and Swindon respectively, before the season proper starts on Saturday 16^th September with a home fixture against the Bracknell Bees.

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

 

Mid-season report … Owen Griffiths

Let’s have a look at one of the Phantoms’ newest recruits…

Owen Griffiths joined the Phantoms in the summer from the Swindon Wildcats and a year where played for the GB U20s.  In the first half of the season Owen has been a hugely popular addition to the Phantoms’ roster, contributing on whichever forward line he has been asked to play on, bringing a high level of energy to every shift.

I’d like to say a big thank you to Owen for taking time to complete this Q&A at a busy time of year, and wish him, and all the other ‘beyond the blue line’ readers a very merry Christmas.

These Q&A pieces have been very popular of the last four seasons; if you want to have a look at the rest you can use the ‘Interview/Q&A’ tag on the blog, or this link:  https://blueliner66.wordpress.com/tag/interviewqa/

Name:  Owen Griffiths
Age: 20
Position: Forward

Do you have a Job outside hockey?
I am currently an undergraduate student, studying Business Management and Economics.

Favourite NHL Team & reason why?
Pittsburgh Penguins is my favourite team, and the skill of Sidney Crosby.

Favourite hockey player and sporting hero?
I like watch Sid, Kane, Panarin, Laine and McDavid but there isn’t a stand out favourite. My sporting hero has to be Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) in his prime, he was fearless.

Do you follow any other sports?  Do you have a favourite football team?
I’m a massive golf fanatic and I follow Liverpool FC.

Favourite film?
It used to be Behind Enemy Lines, but I love comedies so any Will Ferrell movie is up there.

Favourite movie star?
Miles Teller, Jonah Hill

Favourite singer/band?
Yeezy (Kanye West)

Can you describe your hockey pedigree – where, why and when did you start the sport, and where have you played?
I started playing on my 6^th birthday with my two older cousins in Cardiff. I always wanted to play with and against my cousins and I love the sport.  I had to make a choice between football and ice hockey and I didn’t have to think twice. I started because of my cousins and since have played for Cardiff Devils, Wightlink Raiders, Swindon Wildcats, Peterborough and GB. I’ve been lucky to visit a variety of places in Europe, Canada and the US.

Is there anyone you modelled your style on, or as a player/coach has been a big inspiration to you?
I have been coached by a lot of people since 6 years old and each have different styles that all work so I couldn’t single out a coach on their influence on me, as every single one has helped me get to playing in the EPL. I watched the Devils in the elite league and NHL games online, but when I watched a DEL game with my cousin in Germany, there was a player called Wolf, who I couldn’t take my eyes off.  He was really, really skilful.

How do you feel the season is going for both you and the team?
We are happy with our place in the standings at the moment, having qualified for the Cup and placed ourselves high in the table.  Obviously, the closer to the top the better but I feel we are in a good position.

Personally, I am happy with how it has been going and grateful to have the chance to perform week in week out.

What have been the standout moments so far for you personally?
The Ashes in Pre-Season was a nice feeling having not achieved anything last year, but getting my first goal in the league is a milestone I won’t forget quickly and fingers crossed there is more to come.

What sort of challenges have you faced in joining the Phantoms and playing a much more prominent role than you did in Swindon?
I would have to say consistency of performance whilst having more responsibility week in week out is a challenge over 50+ games. I’m just taking each game as it comes.

What do you think the Phantoms are capable of achieving this year?
I think we are a strong side that can beat anyone on any night.  If we were not to win anything this year it would be very disappointing.

The Phantoms’ fans have really taken to you – how much of an impact does the crowd in Peterborough have on the lads?
They really have been awesome week in week out, and I have really taken to them as well. The louder the fans the more intense it feels and we perform better when there is intensity in the game.

And finally

which of your teammates:

is the best trainer?  James Ferrara

is the worst trainer?  Janis Auzins

is the most skilful?  Darius Pliskauskas

Is the quickest?  Between Darge, White, Me and Martins

Is the slowest?  Scott Robson

is the toughest?  I haven’t fought any of them yet but Petr maybe? He’s massive

is the funniest?  Weldon

is the best dressed?  Weldon

has the worst dress sense? Paddy or Petr

is the most intelligent?  The uni lads – Ben Russell, Rob Ferrara.

is the biggest moaner?  Martins

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

 

Season 2016-17 Week 9: Swindon Wildcats

Peterborough Phantoms 4 Swindon Wildcats 2

3 in 2 for James Archer

Whilst the Phantoms’ form before the last meeting with Swindon on 16^th October had seen plenty of points secured at home, with only a shoot-out defeat to Sheffield and a 5-2 reverse at the hands of Milton Keynes taking points away from Peterborough, their away form had seen scant return.

Following this comprehensive victory against the short-benched Wildcats the picture looks far healthier for the Phantoms; in the twenty days since the last meeting between these two sides the Phantoms have put together a fine run of form, with the two victories against Aaron Nell’s men bookending a period that has seen just one defeat in six games.

This Bonfire Night win saw the Phantoms start well, taking control of the early stages of the game and scoring the evenings’ first goal through Darius Pliskauskas after 1 46.  Pressure on Lyle’s goal followed, with the home side having plenty of chances but not able to get clear daylight between themselves and their visitors, largely due to stout defending from the likes of Selby, Liddiard and Smith, the work of veteran netminder Lyle, and some good fortune as the puck stuck in the blue paint after a blocked shot crawled towards the net.

As is so often the case, the Phantoms paid the price for not extending their lead as Birbraer levelled things up at 9 59, skating hard to the back post and finishing a one timer to the left of Auzins’ outstretched left pad just inside the post from an exquisite pass from Swindon’s Man of the Match Jonas Hoog.

If the Phantoms felt they deserved more at the end of the first period, with 6 30 gone of the second period they would have felt that the game was slipping away, as the industrious Jordan Kelsall gave Swindon a lead that that had seemed unlikely given the way that the Phantoms had dominated the shots on goal.

The Wildcats scored six minutes into the second period, and six minutes from the end James Archer levelled the scores with a powerplay goal as Stephen Whitfield sat for interference.  Ales Padelek gave the puck to Petr Stepanek who skilfully found Archer at Lyle’s near post, and the Peterborough man swept home for his third goal in two games.

Though the Phantoms had dominated possession and chances in the first two periods they had been unable to take a commanding lead through forty minutes, but the final stanza saw the Phantoms dominate the period and score twice, through two highlight real goals.

With just 1 59 gone in the period the Phantoms worked the puck round the Wildcats’ zone, Weldon feeding Stepanek, who in turn laid the puck into the path of Tom Norton in acres of space in the high slot.  Norton fired a boomer from the blue line past Lyle to cap off an excellent performance in what has been a land mark week for the D man who represented GB in Nottingham this week.

Five minutes later Norton and Stepanek were involved again, this time Ales Padelek being the beneficiary.  The Czech forward raced into the zone and sent a tracer past Lyle from the hash marks to conclude the scoring.

Five Takeaways

1. A few weeks ago supporters were disgruntled with the performance of the forwards. In recent weeks we have seen terrific performances across the import lines, with Padelek (1+1) and Pliskauskas scoring in this game, and Stepanek catching three assists.  Stepanek has at least a point in each of his last four games, in which he has scored 5+4.

2. Though this wasn’t the perfect game from a defensive point of view, it was an impressive display and certainly demonstrated the benefit of marshalling a significant offensive threat from front to back. There were excellent individual defensive performance – notably from Rob Ferrara, Tom Norton and Ben Russell, but it was interesting to note that when Swindon broke the Phantoms tended to have greater defensive cover in the neutral zone than had been the case earlier in the season.

3. Wahebe Darge. Phanforce player of the month for October and a tireless performer in this game, with a display that warranted at least a goal.

4. Momentum is key, both in a single game and over a stretch of games. This team plays so well when its tail is up and though they have shown us how resolute they are when trying to get back into a game it is essential that they kill teams off when they are ahead.  This game could’ve slipped away from the Phantoms in the second periods as the Wildcats came from behind to take a lead.

5. The Phantoms need to ensure that they go into Blackpool on Sunday with the right mindset. Though the Phoenix lost in Bracknell on Saturday they will be a challenge for the Phantoms, with two old boys, Pick and Bebris keen to make an impact.  The Phantoms can still make the cup semi-finals and this game is crucial as it is the first time we have met Tony Hand’s side this year.

As for Swindon?

Despite missing Malasinski and Nell there was still a significant threat, with Hoog, Kelsall and Birbraer impressing the most.  After scoring the second goal the Wildcats struggled to stay out of the penalty box, and couldn’t make their mid period advantage stick for long enough.  Nevertheless, as I’ve commented several times before, I have no doubt that the Phantoms and the Wildcats will be vying for the same positions in the league come the end of the season.

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

Season 2016-17 Week 6: Swindon Wildcats

Peterborough Phantoms 3 Swindon Wildcats 1

Star of the show – Wehebe Darge

The Phantoms made home ice advantage count against the free scoring Swindon Wildcats in a game of considerable significance in light of the fact that the Phantoms has lost in Basingstoke on Saturday, and after losing a four goal lead against the  Sheffield Steeldogs last weekend.

The Phantoms were without Towner and Glossop once more, both out of action since the early October visit to Wiltshire, and were also missing Craig Wallis, and most crucially, Ales Padelek.  Though Adam Long has played exceptionally well in recent weeks, Phantoms’ fans would be delighted to see the return of Janis Auzins between the pipes.

In the final analysis the Phantoms showed great organisation and a combination of impressive forward play, notably in the first period, and resolute defence from front to back.

Owen Griffiths opened the scoring halfway through the period and just five minutes later his line-mate, Wehebe Darge increased the Phantoms lead to two.  Though statistics don’t tell the whole story it was pleasing to see that the Phantoms led Swindon in shots-on-goal by 19 to 6, given the potency of the Wildcats’ forward lines

Unlike last weekend when the Steeldogs found a way to cut the arrears before the end of the first period there would be no way back for the visitors, and though the Wildcats shaded the shots on goal in a period dominated by a rear-guard given they had to defend five penalties, the score remained 2-0 until late in the game.

Despite the fact that the Wildcats didn’t have too many clear cut chances they did eventually did get on the board, as a play from Jonas Hoog from behind the goal went into the Phantoms’ net via Ben Russell’s skate with four minutes remaining.

Fears of a collapse in the latter stages were unfounded; the much maligned (and my opinion wrongly so) Darius Pliskauskas snatched a killer goal off a defender, to restore the Phantoms’ two goal lead with 80 ticks remaining, which was enough to see the Phantoms to secure the two points.

Four Takeaways

1. Make no bones about it, with the defeat to the Steeldogs looming large in the memory this was a huge character win. To paraphrase one of the takeaways from last week – taking a lead is one thing, and protecting it is another.  There were strong performances throughout the team to protect the lead once it had been taken, and the all British D of Norton, Russell, Ferrara, Robson and Stubley, until he was injured, performed well against Nell et al.

2. The Archer-Griffiths-Darge line came up big and scored the key first and second goals, playing with speed and energy that the Wildcats found difficult to deal with.

3. Though the returning Janis Auzins took the Man of the Match beers my vote would’ve been for Wehebe Darge, who finished 1+2, and with the game winning goal. Darge’s energy, industry and passing stood out, and in the absence of Padelek Darge was the stand-out import.

4. If the Phantoms could convert any of the powerplay opportunities (I think there were nine!) that presented themselves they would’ve been in a more comfortable position so much earlier. On a night where the feel good factor returned it seems churlish to pick faults, but the Phantoms need to get that aspect of special teams firing quickly.

As for Swindon?

Players look Hoog, Malasinski and Nell are a pleasure to watch, and it is testament to the work of the Phantoms that they kept the Wildcats at back for 56 minutes.

When you take a look at the game sheet it shows that the Wildcats took 40 minutes’ worth of penalties which was critical both in terms of absent personnel and the disruption to their momentum.  Before the game Swindon were third in the league and with their strength going forward you can see why.

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

Season 2016-17 Week 1: Sheffield Steeldogs and Swindon Wildcats

Sheffield Steeldogs 2 – 1 Peterborough Phantoms
Peterborough Phantoms 6 – 1 Swindon Wildcats

Happy Days! Owen Griffiths and Sunday’s MoM Tom Norton

Well now.  The game on Sunday in Peterborough gave the Phantoms’ home supporters their first opportunity to see their new team in league and cup action, and gave the team an opportunity to get points on the board after a frustrating opening night defeat in Sheffield.

Whilst the Phantoms fell short on Saturday in Yorkshire as Andrew Hirst converted two mid-period powerplay goals and the Phantoms lacked an offensive threat (and yet, despite being outshot could’ve snatched something at the death after Hadfield turned the puck over and Owen Griffiths couldn’t convert), Sundays result gave the Peterborough Phantoms a real lift going into two tough weekends.

On paper I tend to group teams like the Steeldogs, Wildcats and Phantoms together and suspect they’ll be vying for similar positions in the league,  though it always strikes me that Swindon have an embarrassment of riches up front, with Kostal, Nell, Malasinski and Hoog being joined by Max Birbraer and the on loan Ben Davies (Braehead) too.

Early on in the game – after Toms Rutkis had levelled Petr Stepanek’s first minute opener for the Phantoms, Janis Auzins was absolutely sensational.  For those of you that have followed the blog over the past two year you’ll know just how highly I rate the big stopper, but on his day he is just about the best I’ve ever seen, and at 1-1 he kept the Phantoms on an even keel where a lesser netminder would’ve conceded.

Darius Pliskauskas got on the end of a James Archer pass to give the Phantoms a lead on 10 39, and in two sensation minutes of 4-on-4 hockey, as Stepanek and Kostal both took two minute minors, the Phantoms effectively put the game out of the reach of the Wildcats with shots from range, firstly from James Ferrara, followed by a beauty from Tom Norton.

The Wildcats would’ve wanted a solid start to the second period, but conceded in the first minute, just as they did in the first, Ales Padelek sweeping home, and Martins Susters finished the scoring from close range with over ten minutes on the clock, on 49 37.

A minute later saw the last flashpoint of the game as Kyle Smith took exception to being hit on the boards, which sparked a fracas with Tom Norton, who initially looked as though he didn’t want to engage, and who eventually got the decision.

Five Takeaways

1. Janis Auzins. Just wow.  He likes to leave his crease, which can be a risky strategy, but his immense saves kept the Phantoms in the game once more
2. I’m impressed by Stepanek; big, strong, and good hands. He’ll be a big success if he carries on like this and I can’t wait to see the Stepanek-Birbraer centre ice hit on the video – it was the kind of collision that needed a sound effect, like in the old cartoons
3. The Pliskauskas-Towner-Archer line was a real handful and a real joy to watch. Will James Archer be the most important signing of the summer?  (clue here – I suspect so …)
4. Tom Stubley, Owen Griffiths, Martins Susters are young lads all making a good impression, and thanks to some intelligent line management from Koulikov the forwards had plenty of ice time – and not just once a lead had been established. Make no bones about it – the coach is happy to put responsibility on these young shoulders, which is especially the case  for Tom Stubley, who I think looks a great pick up.  Sure, he’ll make mistakes, and I’d prefer him to clear his own zone rather than hold the puck and invite another challenge, but it’s clear he will grow in this team.
5. Defence isn’t just about the two D men on the ice, and the Phantoms need to defend as a team to reduce the shots on goal. SOG stats aren’t everything, but if there are upward of 35 per game you may well struggle to bring home the W

As for Swindon?

Threatening in patches, but undone in a blistering first period spell.  The second and third periods were much closer, so much more reflective of Phantoms-Wildcats games of the recent past, but this evening the firepower that I reflected upon earlier didn’t click well enough to take control of the game.

 

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and Instagram its_phil_smith and follow for regular Phantoms updates.

Game Night Report: Swindon Wildcats

Sunday 6^rd March 2016:  Peterborough Phantoms 5 Swindon Wildcats 4

Whilst the disappointment of losing the EPL Cup still exists, the Phantoms have done a pretty good job of getting themselves back on track, with three consecutive wins, and most importantly following the aggregate defeat to Guildford, the four point weekend keeps Koulikov’s men in second place in the league.

Swindon came into town without Lyle, Nell, Bullas and Selby, whilst the Phantoms were missing Jason Buckman, Brad Moore, Martins Susters and Craig Wallis.

The victory was hard earned; the Phantoms started well enough but Adam Harding rattled the first of the evening past Auzins to give the ‘Cats the lead inside five minutes, which was followed by a Toms Rutkis powerplay goal on 12 14 after Eddie Bebris was given match penalty for check to Callum Buglass’ head that saw the Swindon player leave the game and not return.

The next goal would be vital, and the Phantoms crucially got themselves on the score board,  though there was some controversy as Craig Scott’s effort, a tip from a Tom Norton blue line drive was adjudged to be a good goal, though there is debate about whether the puck crossed the line.  It wouldn’t be the first, or only time that the Wildcats were unhappy with the officials; Liddiard had been thrown out of the game for boarding Marc Levers on 12 18 and Scott’s goal, some three minutes later, was the only return for the Phantoms in the five minute powerplay, or indeed in the penalty Hoog drew as Liddiard’s penalty expired.

A flashpoint 2 15 into the second period saw Phantoms’ Stokes, Ferrara and Weldon and Swindon’s Taylor and Stratford receive penalties for roughing following a hit by a Swindon player (possibly Taylor) on the boards, and it would be the Phantoms who picked up some momentum.

Padelek scored a beauty on 25 09 to level the scores at 2-2, skating on the left wing and shaping to pass to the man in the slot, Padelek retained possession and fired past Jordan Hedley, though parity was short lived, as Swindon’s MoM, Jan Kostal restored the cats lead with just under thirty minutes played.

With 33 minutes gone we saw a key swing in momentum.  As the Wildcats looked to press home their advantage Malasinski received the puck in the slot unmarked and in plenty of space, only to see Auzins snuff out his effort, and in the blink of an eye Milan Baranyk had drawn the sides level with a shot from the hash marks to the left of the goal.

The sides were level at 3-3 for eleven minutes of the final period, and in that time the Phantoms had been under the cosh somewhat; a combination of aggressive attacking and defensive frailties had seen Swindon pen the home side in their own zone, so Will Weldon’s 51^st minutes strike, giving the Phantoms the lead for the first time on the evening was a great relief, and just desserts for Weldon, who had a huge period.

Moments after scoring Weldon prevented the ‘Cats from levelling the game as Auzins lost possession after going walkabout in the corner; it was Weldon’s full length dive that prevented the puck entering an unguarded net.

On 56 33 Darius Pliskauskas looked to have put the game beyond Swindon, with an exquisite finish past Hedley, but Swindon would have other ideas.

Hedley was pulled late in the game and with a touch under two minutes to go Malasinksi reduced the arrears with a deft finish at the back post from a Finucci pass, and with just six seconds remaining the Wildcats thought they’d levelled things at 5-5, though the goal was washed out, much to the Phantoms’ delight, with referee Thompson saying it was a kicking motion that had put the puck in the net.

MoM:  Padelek (Phantoms) & Kostal (Swindon)

Four games in five days took its toll, and the early loss of Bebris did little to aid the Phantoms cause in a game where a significantly depleted Swindon side were unfortunate not to get at least a point.  Time and again the Phantoms failed to clear their lines, saw passes through centre ice picked off, or overplayed the puck in their own zone, inviting pressure on their own goal.

The turning point was Weldon’s go ahead goal, and for his all round play he would’ve been my vote for Man of the Match.

This was a gritty performance from the Phantoms and there were at least a brace of picture-book goals (Padelek’s and Pliskauskas’ from my vantage point were a delight), but make no mistake, the Phantoms benefitted from the fact that their visitors were short.

For Swindon Jan Kostal received the beers, though I felt Whitfield ran him a close second, and Hedley performed well in goal too.

The Phantoms lead the Wildcats 3-2 in their series so far, with the final game between the two sides (before the quarter finals at least) is next Saturday, in Wiltshire.

We’re nearly there.  Only five games left of the regular season, and only two here in Peterborough.  Who do you fancy in the quarter finals?

The Peterborough Phantoms can be found online at http://www.gophantoms.co.uk/

You can also follow the club on Twitter at @GoPhantoms 

If you have any comments or observations I’d love to hear from you.  Find me on Twitter at   ‏@phil_smith66  and follow for regular Phantoms updates.