5 Years on: Game Night Report – 2015 Play-Off Final v Manchester Phoenix

It’s great to see that so many hockey fans wanted to dip into the ‘beyond the blue line’ blog five years after the Phantoms triumphed in 2015.

In many ways semi-final was viewed as the best game of hockey that the Phantoms played that season; the Tigers were double winners and looking to emulate the Phantoms own treble winning achievements six years earlier.  What unfolded in that semi-final was a triumph of excellent coaching and execution from the players that saw the Phantoms make the Sunday final in what would be the final game in the career of British hockey legend, Tony Hand.

These were heady days in the English Premier League; we saw a Phantoms team with James and Robbie Ferrara (sporting the #27 Hutchinson jersey!), Will Weldon, Tom Norton, Scott Robson, and a young Martins Susters who have all been fundamental to Peterborough hockey since the play-off win, alongside ace netminder Janis Auzins, Darius Pliskauskas, Eddie Bebris, Milan Baranyk,Donatas Kumeliauskas, Luke Ferrara and Marc Levers.  Surely a roster built for success?

This is how the final panned out,as reported in ‘beyond the blue line’, April 5th 2015:

The Story of a Play-Off Winning Weekend, part two

EPL Play Off Final 5^th April 2015
Peterborough Phantoms 5 Manchester Phoenix 2

As we all now know, standing in front of the Peterborough Phantoms’ first trophy since 2009 was the Manchester Phoenix.

Before, during and after the Phoenix’ 7-4 victory against Milton Keynes there was plenty of discussion amongst the Phantoms’ faithful as to who they would rather face. Opinions were divided between those who wanted a match up against our local rivals, the Lightning, or if the Phantoms would fare better against Manchester in what would be the last appearance of the British ice hockey legend, Tony Hand.

The Phantoms had performed so well in their semi-final that the general feeling was that if they performed in a similar way in the final it wouldn’t matter who they played. My preference was Manchester. The Phantoms had an excellent record against the Phoenix in the regular season, winning five in the six game series, and in the Manchester-MK semi-final you couldn’t help but get the feeling that the Phantoms would be able to carve out opportunities, and that they would have the advantage if we it came down to a battle of the net-minders.

I also had a feeling that MK would’ve given the Phantoms a more difficult game. With ex-Phantoms Hook and Cownie forming part of a devastating line alongside Kostourek there would be plenty to fear, though the player that really stood out in the second semi-final was Robin Kovar for the Phoenix.   Additionally, the Phoenix have Frankie Bakrlik, a player I have always wanted to see in a Phantoms jersey, and someone who brings a physical presence that is extremely difficult to play against.

And then there was the Tony Hand factor. The headline writers had probably readied their words in anticipated of a perfect end to a 34 year playing career where Hand, the first British player drafted in the NHL and former GB head-coach could lift silverware in his final game. The reception and recognition that Hand received in Coventry at the weekend and throughout British hockey as this season has concluded has shown the respect with which the British ‘Mr-Hockey’ has been held.

To add further uncertainty into the mix Saturday evening saw an announcement regarding the ownership of the Phoenix and their relationship with the owners of their ice rink in Altrincham. Would this be a distraction to the Phoenix or galvanise them further?

What unfolded in the first thirteen or so minutes was just beyond the Phantoms’ wildest dreams. Lining up in their familiar red jerseys despite being the top seed in the final and designated as the home side, the Phantoms soaked up early pressure from the Phoenix before scoring three goals in a little over thirteen minutes to build a platform that would prove to be decisive.

Milan Baranyk tormented the Phoenix throughout the game, and on 2 13 opened the scoring as his shot from behind Fone’s goal deflected off the netminder and into the goal.

Two minutes later Scott Robson swept in a powerplay goal, unmarked on the edge of Fone’s crease following an elbow from Ben Wood on Milan Baranyk had given the Phantoms a numerical advantage.

The Phantoms pushed hard in this phase of the game, which was so reminiscent of the quarter final away leg in Swindon when the Phantoms had stormed to a 4-0 lead and taken control of that tie. The Peterborough side were playing with real pace, with Baranyk, Kumeliauskas and Pliskauskas all speeding into the Manchester zone. Kumeliauskas shot wide and Fone needed to be at his best to save from Cam McGiffin and notably Darius Pliskauskas, who stole the puck on the blue line, only to see his shot saved.

After 3 17 Baranyk scored his second, and the Phantoms third of the game following great work from Edgars Bebris in the neutral zone. At 3-0 the Phantoms fans could scarcely believe the start that their side had made, and yet knew that the game was far from over. Recalling the three unanswered goals scored by Swindon in the quarter final it was clear that the game was not over yet..

Rather than sitting on the lead the Phantoms went for the kill in a spell of hockey that was quite simply breath taking. Koulikov fired slightly wide and as Joe Graham sat on a hooking call Marc Levers hit the post, tipping a Tom Norton blue line drive.

On 16 33 the Phantoms incurred their first penalty of the game as Levers himself received a high stick call of his own and as the penalty expired, on 18 15 in the first period, James Archer swept the puck into the net as the Phantoms couldn’t clear their own zone.

At the first buzzer, a scoreline of 3-1 by no means flattered the Phantoms. Despite shots on goal being even at 14, the Phantoms had dominated, and in truth could’ve been five or six up had Fone not made crucial stops when he did.

With such a lead there is a conundrum – should a team defend what they have or go for more goals? The Phoenix came out hard in the second period and dominated possession. Archer skated through the Phantoms defensive zone and round the net but there would no Phoenix player on the end of his pass, and Will Weldon and Luke Ferrara sat for holding and Donatas Kumeliauskas for high sticks, as the Phantoms tried to quell the Manchester pressure.

As had been the case in the Phantoms’ semi-final, their penalty kill did an exceptional job in the second period.

Just as the Phantoms thought they’d seen off the worst of the Manchester challenge they got caught on a poor line change. With only two minutes left of the second period, and with the score still at 3-1 Frantisek Bakrlik stood in acres of space on the Phantoms’ blue line, controlled a pass from Joe Graham, skated into the offensive zone and cannoned a shot past Auzins to reduce the deficit and increase the tension in the Peterborough camp.

The third period saw the Phoenix up the physical intensity of their game, with Bakrlik involved in an incident with Robson that saw the Phoenix man subject of resounding boos in the arena. Burlin, Watkins and Bakrlik all took two minute penalties which handed the momentum back to the Phantoms, and an incident near the Phoenix bench saw Luke Ferrara prostrate on the ice.

On 52 33 the game crucially tipped in the Phantoms favour once more. Watkins and Bakrilk’s high stick and holding penalties came within 23 seconds of each other, giving the Phantoms a 5-on-3 opportunity, and before the first penalty had expired Marc Levers jammed the puck under Fone for a 4-2 lead.

In the closing moments it would be down to captain James Ferrara to conclude the scoring , bundling the puck into the net to complete a memorable victory 5-2 victory, to scenes of jubilation both on the ice and on the stands.

MoM: Auzins (Phantoms) and Hand (Phoenix)

The Peterborough Phantoms mantra all season has been about the importance of the team over individual performers, and this weekend encapsulated that perfectly. The coaching staff, bolstered by Koulikov Snr has got the best out of a team where hard work, dedication to the cause and no small amount of skill has reaped fine rewards.

For a Phantoms team that failed to make the play-offs at all last year to finish fourth in the table and to be crowned champions at the end of the league’s showpiece weekend is an outstanding achievement, and shows how far the club have travelled in a small amount of time.

I’m a firm believer in there being a time for a team to grab their chance, and would always fear that if that chance is not taken, it may not come round again too soon. The Phantoms took their opportunity and everyone person involved in the club deserves credit for their contribution that has seen the Phantoms gate-crash the usual suspects and deservedly lift a cup for the first time in six years.

Well done to the Peterborough Phantoms, and thank you to Rob and Sue Housden who step down after fourteen years at the helm. What a way to sign off!

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_smithfollow for regular Phantoms updates.

5^th April 2015

5 Years on: Game Night Report – 2015 Play-Off Semi-Final v Telford Tigers

Where did that time go?  ‘beyond the blue line’ started with some football and a whole load of ice hockey, and ran for 225 posts in the five years from July 2013 to October 2018 – covering a number of highs and lows of the hockey scene well before the Phantoms media game was where is is now, and largely in a climate where there was much less in terms of coverage of the Phantoms and hockey at this level.

If you are relatively new to the Phantoms you won’t have seen this stuff before and might have some interest in the match night reports, interviews and Q&As and other articles that were produced over the life of the blog.  Use the tags and dip into what was a regular part of Phantoms hockey media up until last season, where balancing writing and match night commentary duties felt like it had become too time consuming.

In October 2018 I published what had been the last post in what ended up being a successful season, with the Phantoms bagging a couple of trophies despite falling at the last hurdle to the Hull Pirates in the play-off final in Coventry.

In our current lockdown there has been a whole load of nostalgia on the internet, and as we might well have been in Coventry this weekend for the annual play-off jamboree, there seemed no better time to post my reports from the semi final against Telford and the final against the Manchester Phoenix.

Maybe if you hang around here long enough there’ll be some new stuff too…

The Story of a Play-Off Winning Weekend, part one

EPL Play-Off Semi Final 4^th April 2015
Telford Tigers 2 Peterborough Phantoms 4

Semi-Final victory celebrations

What a fantastic weekend for the Peterborough Phantoms, EPL Play-Off Champions 2014-15.

Regular readers of ‘beyond the blue line’ will know that there is usually a match report after each game I attend, so rather than simply posting about the final, I thought it would be quite appropriate to revisit both games in a historic weekend that sees the Phantoms lift their first trophy since 2008-2009.

Having finished fourth in the English Premier League and defeated the Swindon Wildcats in the quarter finals, the Phantoms matched up against the league and cup winning Telford Tigers, with probably everyone outside of the Phantoms’ camp anticipating that this 1^st vs 4^th encounter would go the way of the Shropshire side.

In truth, the Phantoms have fared relatively well against the Tigers over the course of the season, managing to defeat them both home and away in a season where the champions only suffered six regulation time defeats. As a result, there was a degree of optimism amongst the Phantoms, and a belief that a game plan, well executed, could see them through to the final.

By 1:00pm, with the warm-up over, the Phantoms lined up in their familiar red away uniform, with the Tigers in white. Marc Levers and Peter Szabo took the opening face-off from referee Pickett, with the supporters of the Tigers and the Phantoms making noise in anticipation of the action to come.

Whilst semi-finals can often be cagey affairs, this one started frenetically, with the Phantoms making a positive start as both James Ferrara and Donatas Kumeliauskas did well in the opening seconds.

The Phantoms got the start they could only have dreamt about at the end of a spell of concerted pressure as player/coach Slava Koulikov swept the puck into an empty cage on 1 56, as ex-Phantom Murdy saved to his right before the rebound was fed to Koulikov who made no mistake.

Telford tried to impose themselves on the game and put increasing pressure on the Phantoms’ rear guard. Veteran Jonathan Weaver laid big hits on both Koulikov and Pliskauskas and though the Phantoms were holding their own at his point, and may have even extended their lead through Kumeliauskas, the Phantoms suffered a harsh charging call by the officials on Edgars Bebris after 10 25.

The resulting powerplay saw Telford knot things up at 1-1 on 11 14 through a Max Birbraer rocket from the blue line that sped past a screened Auzins.

Telford dominated the exchanges in the middle part of this first period. James Ferrara and Rick Plant came to blows after the Phantoms’ captain was adjudged to have held Plant’s stick, and both sides had chances as the Tigers tried to capitalise on their numerical advantage, with Ondrej coming close with a backhander immediately after Bebris was foiled one-on-one with Murdy.

As we entered the last minute of the period Kumeliauskas, relishing the big ice, skated from back to front, only to be levelled by Weaver who took a 2+10 penalty for a check from behind.

Stat fans would be aware that the Phantoms had scored more PP goals than any other team in the league this year, and would add another to their total as Luke Ferrara fired home from the high slot to make the score 2-1 to the Phantoms with just two seconds of the period left.

The Phantoms would’ve wanted to keep the game close and not give the Tigers any opportunity to gain momentum, yet within 42 seconds of the start of the second period Edgars Bebris was thrown out of the game following a high stick call that must’ve drawn blood.

The Phantoms have also had the EPL’s best penalty kill this year (83.4%) and would need to be at their best whilst Bebris’ five minute call wound down. Fortunately for the Phantoms, for two of those minutes the Tigers were also reduced to four men as Peter Szabo, the EPL’s Player of the Year, sat for high sticks.

With the penalty kill working well the Phantoms grew in confidence, rallied by their noisy supporters who recognised the worth of such stout defensive work. Murdy stopped efforts from Tom Norton and Darius Pliskauskas and as tempers started to boil over Kumeliauskas and Ondrej took penalties at 6 19 of the second period for roughing and high-sticks respectively, with the Phantoms’ man sitting for 2+2, giving the Tigers another powerplay opportunity and the Phantoms’ penalty kill more work to do.

On 30 42, just half way through this pulsating game, Pliskauskas extended the Phantoms’ lead on a delayed penalty after Weaver had penalised for slashing, jamming home in front of the Phantoms supporters, at the end of a terrific solo drive towards Murdy’s goal.

Shots on goal had been pretty even in the first period, but in the second the Tigers had 16 sots on Auzins, whilst the Phantoms had 6 on Murdy, and yet the period finished 3-1, with Pliskauskas’ tally the only goal of the period.

Within two minutes of the start of the third and final frame the Tigers had reduced their deficit to one, as Rick Plant rifled a shot from the edge of the right hand face-off circle past Auzins. The Telford supporters sensed a comeback was on and raised the noise levels considerably, but Auzins and the Phantoms’ defence stood firm, with Scott Robson in particular playing with a maturity beyond his experience and age.

With just less than three minutes remaining Pliskauskas scored his second, and the Phantoms’ fourth goal of the afternoon to effectively settle the game. And what a goal it was! Pliskauskas picked the puck up on the edge of the offensive zone, span, and sat Murdy down before finishing with style.

Without doubt, Pliskauskas is a big game player, and on this stage he looked to be the top forward that we know he is.

There was still time for a crowd scene around Janis Auzins, but there were to be no more goals. The Phantoms had deservedly won their semi-final 4-2.

MoM: Auzins (Phantoms) and Zajac (Tigers)

This game saw the Phantoms’ imports stand tall.  Baranyk and Kumeliauskas threatened time after time, Pliskauskas scored two beauties, and of course, there’s Janis Auzins, who Phantoms’ fans see perform so well week in, week out.

Auzins took the MoM beers yet again, though calling a Man of the Match from this performance doesn’t do justice to the herculean efforts from the whole team. Though outshot by 29 to 38, the Phantoms took their chances and showed once again that when they need it to be, the defensive side of their game can be as good as any in the league.

Credit to the Koulikovs for the organisation and the game plan, and credit to the whole team for executing it so well.

Scenes at the end of the game showed the delight in the Phantoms’ camp and in the stands. The question would be whether the Phantoms would prove to have enough in the tank for the final after such a performance.

The Manchester Phoenix would be the Phantoms’ opponents, prevailing 7-4 against our old rivals the MK Lightning in a thrilling encounter. The scoreline probably flattered the Phoenix somewhat as they notched two late empty net goals as the Lightning pushed for a life line, but in Robin Kovar they had the standout performer of the game, and along with Frantisek Bakrlik there would be a real threat to the Phantoms.

And of course, the Phantoms would also be facing Tony Hand, MBE, playing his last competitive fixture after an illustrious 34 year playing career.

It would be down to the Phantoms to rewrite the headlines that the journalist may have written in readiness for Hand’s last hurrah.

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.

5th April 2015

Looking forward to the 2017-2018 season with Will Weldon

It gives me great pleasure to present another 2017-18 season preview with the help of Will Weldon.  Will is a part of the furniture in these parts; at the age of 24 he is already embarking on his seventh season as a Phantom, having made over 325 appearances for the club and ranking fourth in the all-time Phantoms’ appearance list.

All you need to know is that Will Weldon would run through a brick wall for the team, and of course, is the King of the Face-Off Circle.

‘Beyond the Blue Line’ caught up with Will last week to reflect on the 2016-17 season and to cast an eye over what we might be in store for this year ….

(and for those of you who like these things you can check out Will’s last Q&A from July 2016 here: http://wp.me/p3I8ZK-ga)

BTBL:  The 2016-17 campaign is now well behind us, and for a second successive year the Phantoms acquitted themselves really well but fell just short on lifting silverware.  How do you reflect on last season with the Phantoms from a club and personal point of view? 

WW:  It was a tough one last year as we once again probably quieted quite a few critics but ultimately fell short on lifting any silverware.  I think with hindsight we can be proud of our achievements but it was certainly a tough pill to swallow in losing the cup final and then not making Coventry in the space of a few weeks. From a personal point of view last year was a real struggle, I was playing a slightly different role to the previous season and in turn struggled offensively before picking up an injury on Boxing Day which turned out to be a tear in my ACL as well as bruising to the bone.  In 5 seasons I had only had to sit out 2 games so being on the side-lines was tough, so I was pleased to be able to come back to finish the year, although I was pretty much playing on one leg.

BTBL:  Whilst the Phantoms have kept a large proportion of their roster, in truth it’s been a case of ‘all change’ with the second tier of British hockey.  Obviously we have a new league format this year, new competitions to play for, new teams and rinks to visit, and we can’t forget that there’ll be restrictions on the import rule (including on import netminders).  What are your thoughts on the changes that have been implemented and what do you think that the supporters will have to look forward to in the coming season?

WW:  With the circumstances that have led to the EPL folding it has meant that teams like ours were put in a very difficult position.  To step up to EIHL is of course not even an option for a team with the financial constraints we have worked within, so we seemingly were left with little choice.  I hope that the league will be entertaining and I would expect that teams that may not be quite to the same standard as ourselves will look to outwork and intimidate us, so on the whole hopefully all of our games will have something to them.

With Padi and Darius back we have two of the best imports at this level and although it is a shame to lose somebody of Janis’ standard I won’t miss his psycho ways in practice!!

BTBL:  We have a number of new signings this year – with some big hitters in Nathan Salem and Leigh Jamieson amongst them, and two exciting players on two way contracts with Milton Keynes in Knaggs and Billing.  What do you expect from the new look Phantoms this year?

WW:  There has been quite a turn around on the personnel front but it certainly looks like we have put a team together that can compete on all fronts.  Having seen a couple of the new guys down at summer skates it is clear that everyone is ready to get started. We will look to play the same disciplined hockey that we have been known for but I think you can expect a little more flair from us on the whole.

BTBL:  What will a successful season for the Phantoms and for yourself look like this year?

WW:  Put quite simply, anything less than trophies will be a failure this year.

BTBL:  Finally – do you have a message for the Phantoms’ fans on the eve of the season?

WW:  We are all looking forward to getting started in September and ask that you come down to offer your support.  There are going to be ups and downs along the way as we take on an unknown challenge but we will never cheat you on effort.  We really do appreciate the support you always give us so please keep on coming down as we look to add to the trophy cabinet. See you all soon.

 

Off the bench … which of your teammates:

is the best trainer?
Jimmy Ferrara

is the worst trainer?
Probably between myself and Greg Pick, we are always good for messing a drill up.

is the most skilful?
Padi

is the quickest?
Whitey

is the slowest?
Robbie Ferrara (but has iron lungs so can skate for days)

is the toughest?
Got to be Picky!

is the funniest?
I’ll go with Norts but it is more laughing at him rather than with him!

is the best dressed?
Darius/Griff

has the worst dress sense?
Robbo (flip flops and shorts no matter the occasion)

is the most intelligent?
Of the guys I know it would have to be between the two Ferrara’s but from what I’ve been told Leigh Jamieson is right up there.

is the biggest moaner?
Possibly myself…although Darius is a contender too!

Grandpa Levers (according to Weldon)

And finally  – a word about Marc Levers, one of the Nottingham lads who contributed so much to the Phantoms in recent years and who left in the summer to rejoin the Nottingham Lions …
On a serious note about Leves he has obviously formed a huge part of the Notts car over the last 4 years or so and he will be greatly missed in the car this year, as well as in the dressing room and on the ice.  I think there are a lot of players on our young team that have learnt a lot from Grandpa Leves.

Many thanks to Will for taking the time to answer our questions – I’m just wondering if any of the lads want the right of reply (you know where to find me on match night)!

The Phantoms are at home on Sunday 10^th September in a Challenge Fixtures against Swindon 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.

 

 

 

 

Season 2016-17 Week 12: Manchester Phoenix

Peterborough Phantoms 9 Manchester Phoenix 1

MoM: Will Weldon

The Phantoms picked up four points in a weekend for the third time this season with two victories in fixtures the fans hoped they’d triumph in, but knowing how tough games can be, would’ve been wrong to assume that victory would’ve been a foregone conclusion.

In the final analysis, barring a six minute spell in the late stages of the final period in Bracknell that saw the Bees score four unanswered goals to challenge the Phantoms who had raced to a five goal lead inside fifty minutes, the games against Bracknell and Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix turned out just as the Phantoms would’ve wanted them to, with the exception of the bitten finger nails as the Bees tried to tie things up on Saturday.

Whether the late scare in Berkshire ensured the Phantoms took care of business on Sunday against the Phoenix we will never know, though once they had hit the front with an early Will Weldon goal from a pinpoint James Ferrara pass from the right face-off circle (and in turn a precision pass from Janis Auzins to Ferrara on the Phoenix blue line) with almost seven minutes of the first period gone, and a second through Ferrara on the doorstep of Fone’s goal, extending the lead three minutes later from a Wehebe Darge pass, the game was all but over as a contest.

Stepanek and Pliskauskas made it 4-0 at the first period break, Stepanek’s powerplay strike a shot from the blue line following a pass from Scott Robson, whilst Pliskauskas raced through neutral ice and despite a forlorn challenge from former Phantom Greg Pick, Pliskauskas undressed Fone with a shimmy to put the cap on a fine first period.

At the start of the second frame Hand replaced Fone with Denis Bell, a young netminder signed from the Telford Tigers, and we saw a more competitive period, in which Bell excelled despite the pressure placed on his net.  O’Flaherty had a couple of chances at reducing the arrears, but it would be the Phantoms who would extend their lead as Stepanek and Susters scored either side of a Robin Kovar strike to make the score 6-1 through forty minutes.

The game was all but over going into the last period, and whilst the Phoenix kept going, the impact of a short bench was always going to lead to tired legs against a Phantoms’ side who were virtually at full strength and rolling four lines throughout the game.

Padelek got his goal two minutes into the last period, Darius Pliskauskas bagged his second of the evening (and in truth should’ve scored a hat-trick) and the final goal of the evening came from two former Phoenix players, as James Archer tipped a Ben Russell shot from the point to give us a final score of 9-1.

Takeaways 

1. There were a number of solid performances from the Phantoms, though it is difficult to gauge the quality of their play when the margin of victory is so great. Congratulations to Will Weldon for scoring the opener and collecting the Man of the Match beers, and to James Ferrara for the game winning goal.

2. The Phantoms continue their winning streaks against the Bees (20 games) and the Phoenix (14).

3. The Phantoms gave up no penalty minutes at all this evening, which is quite remarkable in itself. We are watching a Phantoms’ team who are currently eighth in the league in terms of penalty minutes given up, with only Manchester and Telford taking fewer, but to take no penalties at all is some feat.

4. Darius Pliskauskas is now 15+14 in the last 17 games, at 1.7 points per game. Pliskauskas is now eighth in the league in terms of point scoring, and only Themar (Hull), Bosas (Sheffield) and Bakrlik (MK) have scored more goals at this point of the season.  I know Darius will say that it is team point and team goals that are the most important thing, but from a fan’s perspective, long may it continue

As for the Phoenix?

Though the Phoenix kept on going, the fact that they play week in, week out with a short bench makes it difficult for them to get a foothold in games like this.

On too many occasions the Phantoms’ forwards were given too much time to control the puck (notably on the blue line following a stretch pass, more often than not from Auzins), and were given the freedom of Peterborough in front of goal.  In amongst the Phantoms’ goals there were one or two nice finishes – notably from Weldon and Pliskauskas, but in the build up to these goals, and others, the Phantoms weren’t closed down quickly enough.

The young netminder Bell, Ben Wood and Eddie Bebris all put in solid performances alongside Captain Luke Boothroyd, who took the Man of the Match accolade, but Tony Hand will have expected more from his experienced players and imports who only showed glimpses of what they can do.

I was grateful to Jim ‘Tambo’ Piper for doing the co-commentary on line with the team this evening, giving a Phoenix view, and in response to my suggestion that the Phoenix’ short bench gives them problems with tiredness over a two game weekend Jim remarked that Tony Hand needs his best players to be his best players, and we saw too little of that this evening.

All the best to Tambo in the coming weeks.

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.

Catching up with … Will Weldon

I’d like to say a big ‘thank-you’ to Will Weldon for being the latest Phantom to take part in a ‘beyond the blue line’ Q & A session.

As many of you will know, Will is part of the Phantoms’ Nottingham contingent that includes Marc Levers, Tom Norton and Craig Wallis (and until recently Greg Pick), that form a key part of the locker room and who can be seen driving up and down the highways and byways of the UK to and from Phantoms’ games.

At the age of 23 Will Weldon is one of the most experienced players on the Phantoms’ roster with almost 300 EPIHL games under his belt, and last season saw him reach a career high 18 goals and 19 assists, for 37 points at 0.6 points per game.

I hope you enjoy reading Will’s responses as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Name: Will Weldon
Age: 23
Position: Centre
 
Job outside hockey? Estates Surveyor
 
Favourite NHL Team & reason why? Toronto Maple Leafs – I went to watch them play when playing hockey over there and grew fond to them.
 
Favourite hockey player and sporting hero?  This is a tough one really, there are a lot of hockey players I enjoy to watch but can’t really pick one in particular.  The same again with a sporting hero, although I watch and enjoy most sports, I support teams over individuals.
 
Do you follow any other sports?  Favourite football team?  As I said I am into most sports but would say cricket and football are the two main ones. My favourite football team is Nottingham Forest.
 
Favourite film?  Again, boring as it may be there isn’t really one movie that jumps out to me.  I watched Deadpool recently however, and really enjoyed it, so I will go with that.
 
Favourite movie star?  Bradley Cooper.
 
Favourite singer/band?  Looking through my IPod the person I think I’d have to say is Drake, as I seem to have most of his albums.
 
Can you describe your hockey pedigree – where, why and when did you start the sport, and where have you played? 
I used to go down to watch the Panthers in Nottingham with my family when I was young and fell in love with the sport. Having then spent a few years nagging my parents to let myself and my brother play they finally gave in and at the age of 9 I started playing.

From there I worked my way up through all the junior age groups along along with representing Midlands Conference teams from Under-13s up and England teams from Under-14s up, before making the GB 18s and 20s teams.  When I turned 16 I started playing for the Nottingham Lions who were in the ENL 1, and who, by all accounts could have probably given a few EPL teams a good run.

I then played a few games for the Panthers before deciding to try my luck in the EPL. The Phantoms coach at the time was Chris ‘the Cannon’ Allen and he was keen to bring me on board, and I guess you could say the rest is history.

Is there a story behind your number 29?
29 was the first number I wore playing in the under 10s in Nottingham, but I then played 9 for most of my junior hockey which is a retired number in Peterborough.  I first wore 27 when I signed in Peterborough which I chose as 2 + 7= 9.

When I signed back for my second season the GM for the Phantoms at the time rang me to ask what number I wanted for the next season so I said I would stick with 27, but was told that this was no longer available as the team had brought back Hutch who had always worn the number when playing in Peterborough, so I went back to 29.  It turned out that Hutch wasn’t actually too fussed about the number and was never actually told that I had 27 the previous year, but I gave him some stick anyway.

Is there anyone you modelled your style on, or as a player has been a big inspiration to you?
I have always enjoyed watching gritty players who could do it all, but again can’t really think back to watching one player in particular.  I think I would say Jeff Glowa and Maris Ziedins probably have had the most recent impact on the way to conduct myself as a player and as a person around the locker room – both of those guys made coming to the rink fun and never gave less than 100% for the team.

I think G was the player that helped me a lot in my first couple of seasons being a centre man and in teaching me the little things that go a long way.
 
The 2015-16 campaign is now well behind us, but how do you reflect on last season? 
Last season was a rollercoaster of a season really, we were so close on all fronts yet don’t have anything to show for it. I think in terms of the team we had on paper and the budget we had we probably overachieved but that doesn’t make it any easier to take.
 
Do you look back at 2015-16 as a successful year for yourself and the Phantoms?
I think if I take a step back and look objectively, then yes it was a highly successful year for the team. We are a mid to low budget team that found a way to compete in a league that is getting stronger and stronger.  I think the way we have played over the last 2 seasons and the success we have had has changed to whole way the other teams are going about their business.  People thought Slava was mad when he went down the import goalie route and now look at teams, everyone is doing it.

In terms of my own season, it was my highest points total and my highest goal total so I think it was a good year.

Do any games stand out for being the most complete Phantoms performances?
The playoff semi-final against Telford the year we won it was the best team performance I have ever played a part in.  We had no right to win that game but outworked them, out thought them and out skilled them.  It was almost a shame it was the semi and not the final.  The Manchester game after that seemed almost like an anti-climax performance wise but as soon as the buzzer went it made the whole thing worth it.
 
What was the highlight of the season for you personally?
I find it hard to pick one thing for a highlight with the fact we didn’t push on and take any silverware but it was a pretty sweet feeling winning the semi-final second leg against MK in our barn.
 
One of the greatest talking points this summer has been the change to the EPL’s import rule.  What do you make of the fact that clubs are now able to add an additional ‘non-EIHA trained player’ to their rosters, meaning that teams will be able to dress five imports?
I don’t really get it if I’m honest. The league has come on year on year in the time that I have been in the EPL and that is probably down to the standards of the Brits going up. With how the Elite League is going you are going to no doubt see more fringe players dropping down to the EPL to get ice time which in turn will add to the quality of the Brits in the league.  The people it will have the biggest impact on are the 17/18 year olds trying to break in to the league so to me it seems very short sighted of the EIHA.  I think it is just a way for the bigger teams in the league to look to go back 5/6 years where they just had to show up most nights to take home 2 points.  I don’t think it will be that drastic but it is a way around developing your own players and I don’t like it.
 
Of course, there are changes to the Phantoms too.  Jason Buckman is obviously joining the coaching team, and there has been greater turnover of players this off-season than last.  Despite a significant core of the team from the last two years returning there will be a number of new faces, from the experience of new import Petr Stepanek, James Archer and Ben Russell, to the young recruits Glossop, Towner, Stubley and Griffiths.
What can Phantoms’ fans expect from the team this coming season?
Having not yet stepped on the ice with the team that’s not an easy one to answer.  I do know from speaking to Slava though that he has a plan of how we are going to go about this season and I think that if we can execute it right as a team then we could be a very exciting team to watch.  At the end of the day, the way that Dave and Jo run this team is the right way and we now have some real stability as we are living within our means.

Other teams may be able to go out and spend some silly money to lure players, but we’ve seen it last season in the Premiership with Leicester and in the past with the Phantoms, money and a good team on paper means nothing.  We have a good mix of players with a very solid core of players in the changing room and we seem to get the dynamic just right so it will be good fun playing alongside some guys that will be able to add to the leadership group of the team as well as watching some of the younger guys develop and contribute over the season. 

With nearly 300 EPL games under your belt at the tender age of 23 you almost qualify as a ‘senior pro’ on the team.  Can you describe the role you expect to play in the coming season?
Well I’ve got 5 seasons under my belt now in Phantoms colours and I think that there is only Jimmy who has been there all of that time with me.  I think my role may differ slightly next season as I may be relied upon a little bit more in terms of production. I hope that I will be able to help the young guys learn over the season and just help to keep the mood nice and relaxed.
 
The last two years have seen the Phantoms emerge as a real force in the league.   What would be a successful season for the Phantoms and Will Weldon in 2016-17?
At the end of the day success is measured on hardware.  If at the end of the season we look back with no silverware we won’t have achieved what we set out to do.  Having said that I think that with the changes the team has made this off season we have to be realistic and it almost feels like we are in a similar position to when we won the playoffs, we have got a new set of players with a core of returning guys so hopefully we can build as the season goes on.

On a personal basis I just want to help the team in any way that I can and depending on what Slava asks of me, I will hope to do that!

And finally
 
What is the best thing about being a Phantom?
My teammates
 
What is the one thing about playing in Peterborough that you’d change? 
I would make the A1/A52 90mph speed limits and three lanes!!
 
Your most embarrassing moment as a hockey player?
Losing the first leg of the cup final in the fashion that we did last year.
 

Which is your favourite rink to play in, and why?
Without question Peterborough. Having played here so long everything about it just feels so right yet to every other team they hate it and that makes me love it even more.
 
Who are your favourite EPL opponents?
In terms of to beat, I would say MK.
 
Most difficult opponent that you’ve matched up against?
Way too many!
 
Have you got a message for the Phantoms’ fans as we approach the new season?
Be positive. We have a young team and with your backing that could make a huge difference to those young guys!

Close Season Update (3) – Peterborough Phantoms 2015-16

Coventry Semi-Final victory celebrations

The passports, beach towels and sun cream are being stowed away for another year, the football season is underway, the English cricket team has won the Ashes with a test to spare, and memories of that momentous EPIHL play-off victory are becoming more and more distant as hearts and minds begin to turn towards the start of the 2015-16 ice hockey season.

In advance of the Phantoms’ first friendly, against the newly formed Manchester Storm (only 21 days away!), let’s have a look at the Phantoms’ roster, before moving on to some of the movements among the other sides in a later post.

Clearly the Phantoms tied up the majority of last year’s play-off winning team pretty smartly at the start of the off-season, with Mason Webster, Donatas Kumeliauskas, James Hutchinson and Luke Ferrara all moving on to pastures new.

We wish them well, and look forward to Hutchinson and Webster gracing Peterborough in the coming year, as Hutch has joined the newly formed Hull Pirates, and Webster, having initially signed for the London Raiders has been released to play for an as yet undisclosed EPIHL team.  My money would be on Bracknell for location reasons, but we’ll await that announcement in due course.

Kumeliauskas joins ECC Preussen Juniors in the German Oberliga, and I imagine we’ll see him again on the international stage representing Lithuania.

Perhaps most crucially, the Phantoms will miss Luke Ferrara’s overall play and point scoring; with 24+20 in 40 games last season Luke recorded just under a point per game and has been an absolutely pivotal Brit forward who will be difficult to replace.  All the best to Luke in Sheffield; I’m sure Phantoms’ fans will keep an eye on their results as the season unfolds.

The Phantoms go into the new season with a relatively young defence.  Cam McGiffin and Scott Robson came on in leaps and bounds in the first full season of EPIHL hockey last year, and will surely impress again this time round.  Rob Ferrara stabilised the ship in stepping up from the Peterborough Islanders and despite initial rumours that Greg Pick may leave to pursue a new career, the Nottingham based D man has re-signed too.

Tom Norton will be back in the second year of his contract, and will have significant responsibility on his shoulders being the most experienced D man at the club, barring utility players such as Jason Buckman, who I notice has been signed as a defensive player this year, rather than in the forward role he filled last year.

Coach Koulikov signed an import D man at the start of last year, but finished the season with an all Brit line-up, and so it will be at the start of the new season.  The key, from front to back will be to keep shots down; despite having an excellent netminder in the returning Janis Auzins, the Phantoms will need to give him as much protection as they can.  Auzins faced a touch over 37 shots on goal per game on average, which is a stat the Coach would surely want to reduce.

As was the case last year, the Phantoms will need Auzins to be on top form from the first puck drop, and hopefully we won’t see a repeat of the bench clearance in the first game of this season!

Joining the Phantoms for the new season we see Craig Scott from the Stonewall Flyers, who is something of unknown to us, but is Brit trained despite having played in Canada, Lloyd Gibson from the Sheffield Steeldogs (check ‘beyond the blue line here http://wp.me/p3I8ZK-bK and here http://wp.me/p3I8ZK-bU) and Ales Padelek, most recently with the Sydney Bears in Australia, and seen on these shores in 2013-14 racking up 32+16 in 51 games for the Slough Jets.

If there is a youthful look to the Phantoms rear-guard, it would be fair to say that experience reigns with the forwards, with Padelek and Milan Baranyk being 35 and Darius Pliskauskas and Marc Levers both being 34.  On the evidence of last season, age will be no barrier as Baranyk, Pliskauskas and Levers all made significant contributions the Phantoms’ successes.

The roster is completed with Eddie Bebris, who played a huge role in the post New Year period last season, Will Weldon, who is now an experienced Brit forward and who has a big part to play quite possibly on a second line, and Martins Susters who showed promise last year.  Netminders Dan Lane and Adam Long (signed from Chelmsford) back up Auzins, and Connor Stokes, James White and Brad Moore may see some ice time on two way deals with the Islanders.

With James Ferrara being club captain, one question that remains to be answered is who will wear the ‘A’s as alternate captains.  Last year the game sheets seemed to have a mix of players with the ‘A’ on their jersey, depending on whether the Phantoms were home or way, with Levers, Hutchinson and Luke Ferrara being prominent.

Who would you nominate?

Just to get the ball rolling, I’d suggest Tom Norton and Marc Levers if fit and available, with Weldon and Buckman to step in should either of those two aren’t playing.  And one out of left field – any takers for Darius Pliskauskas?  He knows the league like the back of his hand, and has been a consistent performer in his time with Romford, Slough and the Phantoms.

Whoever gets the nod, I’d like to see the ‘A’ on the front of our alternate captain’s jerseys to signify the additional responsibility awarded to those players.

Next time round – a look at some of the roster changes amongst the other EPIHL teams.  In the meantime, please feel free to share this blog or comment on the usual social media channels.

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.

Game Night Report: Manchester Phoenix

Peterborough Phantoms 3 Manchester Phoenix 2 (PSO)

MoM: Will Weldon

Sometimes you just need to find a way to win, and on Sunday the Phantoms did just that, squeezing past Manchester for the second time in a week and for a third time in Peterborough this season.

Regular readers of this column might recall the Phantoms’ previous home game against the Phoenix in December (match report here http://wp.me/p3I8ZK-9c) when the game finished 1-1 after OT and a Janis Auzins inspired Peterborough side prevailed in the shoot-out, and here we were again with a low scoring game resulting in both sides getting a point before Auzins did his stuff again to foil the visitors and for Donny Kumeliauskas to seal the win with the final penalty shot.

It has been rare to see the Phantoms outnumber a team in recent weeks, but they did tonight. A noisy crowd saw a short benched Phoenix side soak up initial pressure from an industrious Phantoms line up and take the lead as Dickinson found himself open on the left wing and unmarked fired with precision over Auzins’ glove after 2 02.

On Saturday the Phantoms had been rattled by Telford and succumbed to a 5-0 deficit after 40 minutes and it was essential that they struck back quickly against Manchester, and fortunately Luke Ferrara was on hand to convert a rebound from an excellent Milan Baranyk shot to level the score just 15 seconds after Dickinson’s opener.

The Phantoms were dominating the first period, with Bebris going close before Koulikov worked the boards and fed Darius Pliskauskas who made no mistake with a trademark one-timer from inside the left hand face-off circle. For a short while the Phantoms would hold a lead that their possession would deserve.

With six minutes remaining, and in a period of Phantoms’ domination, Kumeliauskas undressed Ryan and ran out of ice, and the chance for the Phantoms to extend their lead went begging, and some three minutes later, on 16 32 the hugely impressive Robin Kovar levelled the scores, poking the puck under the dive of a despairing Auzins.

Throughout this game both Kovar and Bakrlik excelled for Manchester, proving once again that there are a class act at this level. Kovar showed great stick handling throughout the game, and Bakrlik’s strength and speed makes him a real threat.

The Phantoms outshot the Phoenix by 16 to 8 in the first period, but things were much more even in periods two and three.

These teams tend to show a healthy respect for each other and tonight would be no exception, though at times the coaches might have felt too much respect was being shown to their opposition, as both sides created refrained from an overly physical approach.

The game felt like it was crying out for something to light the blue touch paper, but there was little in the way of drama and the big hits never came. Nevertheless, the Phoenix racked up five penalties to the Phantoms’ two, yet neither side could make their numerical advantage count.

With a combination of Manchester’s aggressive penalty kill and a Phantoms’ powerplay that struggled to pepper Ryan’s goal, the opportunities to put the Phoenix on the ropes came and went, and in the closing minutes of the game, as things became increasing tense in the stands, Phoenix MoM Ryan saved from Baranyk to ensure the game would go into overtime.

Shoot-out? No problem!

It should be noted that though the powerplay unit failed to convert on Sunday, they did so twice through Luke Ferrara in the third period in Telford on Saturday. Of course, two short-handed goals were also given up in Shropshire!

The Phantoms shaded the extra five minutes, but Ryan stood strong yet again to deny Baranyk once more, and so for a second successive home game against Manchester we would enter a penalty shoot-out, and once again Auzins would prove to have the measure of the visitors, saving from Archer, Kovar and Bakrlik.

Kumeliauskas: Penalty shot winner

Baranyk had his penalty shot saved and Pliskauskas fired wide, but Kumeliauskas would be the match winner, firing through Ryan’s five hole and the puck, initially slowed by Ryan’s pads, would trickle over the line to secure the win.

MoM: Ryan (Manchester) and Weldon (Phantoms)

Weldon has had a strong season and his performances this weekend deserve the MoM accolade, though both Scott Robson and Marc Levers warrant mentions in dispatches for their performances too.

Though Manchester can still catch the Phantoms for fifth place, it is unlikely with four games left and a margin of seven points between the two teams, and so it’s looking like a quarter final match up against Swindon, and the dress rehearsal, in Wiltshire in two weeks’ time, might well decide who gets home ice advantage.

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.

8^th March 2015

Game Night Report: Swindon Wildcats

Peterborough Phantoms 2 Swindon Wildcats 5

MoM: Will Weldon

So on Sunday 22^nd February 2015, the 35^th anniversary of that famous US victory over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, there would be no ‘Miracle on Ice’ for the Peterborough Phantoms.

Despite the fact that the Phantoms’ evening started so brightly, with Darius Pliskauskas and Luke Ferrara returning after their injuries and seeing plenty of ice time, and with the team getting off to a lightning start as Milan Baranyk broke the deadlock after a mere 23 seconds, latching on to a long pass from Tom Norton and deking Lyle before finishing with aplomb, Phantoms’ fans were left disappointed as their team lost their second successive home fixture by a 5-2 scoreline.

The game had been billed as a key matchup in the race for play-off positioning, but it was the Wildcats who executed their game plan most effectively and stole a march on the home side in the race for that much coveted fourth position.

Within 31 seconds of Baranyk’s goal Adam Harding equalized for Swindon, shooting over Auzin’s glove, and a minute later the visitors had the lead, with Jonas Hoog notching at the Peterborough netminders’ near post.

The frantic start to the period continued, with Lyle saving from Marc Levers before good play by the Phantoms in the offensive zone saw space open up for Man of the Match Will Weldon to equalize on 8 15.

Despite the fact that momentum had swung back towards the Phantoms, they couldn’t capitalize. The Wildcats pulled ahead for a second time as Kostal took a pot shot from high in the right hand face-off circle which found its way through traffic and past a screened Auzins. At this point there had been little between the sides and there was a degree of frustration in the way that Swindon had struck back quickly after the Phantoms’ goals to take a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Lyle foiled a Marc Levers shorthanded one-on-one opportunity seconds after James Ferrara was called for holding a ‘Cats’ stick, and despite the fact that the Phantoms benefitted from a Whitfield penalty at the end of the first period, and had almost two minutes powerplay at the start of the second, there would be no further scoring until the final period.

After just two minutes of the second period Scott Robson felled an onrushing Aaron Nell, who was awarded a penalty shot that was subsequently saved by Auzins. Nell became increasingly influential in the second period, with Auzins coming to the Phantoms’ aid on more than one occasion, and though the penalty shot was saved Nell would have the last laugh as he would ultimately round off the scoring in the final minutes of the game.

The Phantoms thought they had pulled level once again, through Slava Koulikov, with four minutes of the second frame left, though any goal was immediately washed out for an attacker in the crease and the net being moved off its moorings. This would be as close as the Phantoms would come to parity; chances came and went in the final moments of the period, including a strike from Weldon after good interplay with Kumeliauskas.

With little over two minutes of the final period gone the tie was effectively out of the Phantoms’ reach as Kenton Smith benefitted when the Phantoms failed to clear their defensive zone to give Swindon the 4-2 lead.

Both sets of Supporters were becoming increasingly agitated with perceived injustices from the officials, and chances came and went at both ends. In truth the Phantoms had their chances to draw level. Swindon’s netminder, Lyle, stood tall to stop Baranyk and Tom Norton hit the post on a late powerplay opportunity after Harding had taken an interference call.

Seconds later, with 2 30 left, Auzins was pulled to give the Phantoms a two man, 6-on-4 advantage, but it would be Nell who swept home the empty net goal and to secure the 5-2 victory.

MoM: Whitfield (Swindon) and Weldon (Phantoms)

Despite outshooting Swindon by a margin of 40 to 28, the Phantoms struggled to get back into this game, and when they did break through the ‘Cats’ rearguard, veteran goal tender Lyle showed his quality.

The Phantoms’ reconfigured forward lines of Pliskauskas-Koulikov-Luke Ferrara, Levers-Kumeliauskas-James Ferrara and Weldon-Bebris-Baranyk all had their moments, but lacked the fluidity that we have seen in recent performances. Despite being short benched themselves, Swindon defended well, shut shooting lanes down effectively and attacked with speed and precision. On the evening the Wildcats deserved their win.

On to next weekend, when Telford come to town needing a win to be crowned champions, and the Manchester Phoenix will be wanting to join the Phantoms on 46 points in a crucial matchup in Altrincham. After three successive defeats the Phantoms will be regrouping and looking to restore momentum as we approach the final weeks of the season.

Right.  I’m off to watch ‘Miracle’.  Believe.

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.

23^rd February 2015

 

Game Night Report: Solway Sharks

Peterborough Phantoms 4 Solway Sharks 5

MoM – Will Weldon (photo – Paul Young)

I’ll not be putting too finer a point on this one; this was not the performance or result that Phantoms’ supporters were expecting against the team currently in second place in the National Hockey League’s Moralee Conference.

Having seen the Phantoms rack up the goals against both Blackburn and Billingham on home ice there could’ve been few of a Peterborough disposition that would’ve predicted this reverse, and yet the scoreline flattered the Phantoms, with the Sharks worthy winners.

Prior to this game only one EPL team had lost a fixture against a National Ice Hockey League side this year, and the Phantoms must ensure that they are fully prepared to put on a better showing when the teams meet in Dumfries on Saturday, twenty four hours before playing the Blackburn Hawks on Sunday.

The Phantoms were short of all three imports (with Edgars Apelis having been released during the week), the defensive pair of Tom Norton and James Hutchinson, top Brit forward Luke Ferrara, and youngster Martins Susters. Brad Moore, Nathan Pollard and James White joined Dan Lane and Adam Long in stepping in, as had been the case in previous Challenge Cup games.

On this occasion, it wasn’t enough; a combination of unfamiliar lines and a lack of intensity saw Solway score the first goal of the evening after a minute, and achieve a three goal advantage six minutes into the second period.

Former Phantom Richie Bentham was enjoying his return to Peterborough, scoring the Sharks’ first and third goal of the evening, and ultimately capping off a fine evening for the short benched Solway side by scoring his hat-trick, and the Sharks’ game winning goal with a minute and twenty four seconds of the game remaining.

It was little more than Solway deserved. Despite the Phantoms peppering the Solway goal with 40 shots compared to the 16 on Phantoms’ netminders Dan Lane, and from the start of the third period Adam Long, and despite there being six powerplay opportunities compared to the Sharks’ five, the home side trailed by three clear goals until they were given a chink of light when Marc Levers fired in a shot from the high slot to make the score 1-3.

With almost two and half minutes gone in the third period the arrears were reduced further on a dubious powerplay (Cam McGiffin appeared to take a puck to the face which was given as a high sticking call on Coulter) as James Ferrara boomed a tracer in from the blue line, and the Phantoms were level ten minutes later as Coach Koulikov sent a rocket into the Solway net.

Things were starting to get a little tense. Phantoms’ Webster and the Sharks’ Fulton each sat for two minutes for roughing after 54 minutes, and moments later we saw the biggest flashpoint of the evening as Bentham broke through the Phantoms defence, only to see hit shot ring off the post. The Phantoms returned the puck to the other end of the ice, only for Marc Levers to take a high check. From the stands it looked ugly, and though it appeared to be a check to the head, nothing was given. Before the whistle was blown the Sharks had the puck in the net again, though the goal wasn’t given in the commotion about the Phantoms’ forward lying on the ice, with players and fans concerned as Marc has only recently returned from a nasty head injury.

Levers was furious about the hit and protested vehemently. Both he and Crane took holding penalties with four minutes of the game to go, and with the teams at 4-on-4 Will Weldon tipped a Koulikov drive to give the Phantoms the lead for the first time in the game.

Unfortunately for the Phantoms, that wasn’t the end of the scoring. In a bizarre finale Solway pulled their nettie, Russell, and Ross Murray swept in the equaliser, following in double quick time some thirteen seconds later by a jubilant Bentham to win the game for the visitors. In the blink of an eye the Phantoms’ 4-3 lead had been turned into a 4-5 deficit which couldn’t be clawed back despite pulling Long with a minute to go and Bentham sitting for a hook giving the Phantoms a 6-on-4 advantage with 30 seconds remaining.

Well done to Solway, deserved victors. Russell, Crane, Murray and Bentham all impressed.

As for the Phantoms, I fear that too many players underestimated a hard working Solway side. In the context of the season the result is meaningless, but in terms of momentum, in terms of the fringe players making an impact, and in terms of supporters getting value this was a let-down.

MoM: Weldon (Phantoms) and Russell (Sharks)

After losing Apelis, and on an evening when it was revealed that James Hutchinson and Darius Pliskauskas are carrying injuries and the Phantoms have signed Donatas Kumeliauskas, a Lithuanian forward who scored four times in last summer’s World Championship Division 1B for the remainder of the season, talk was of defensive frailty rather than goal scoring impotence. The Phantoms will finish 2014-15 with an all-British backline, and surely we’ll see James Ferrara and Jason Buckman fill in on defence.

After a weekend on the road the Phantoms return to Peterborough on Wednesday 21^st January against the Bracknell Bees, who have just beaten in-form Swindon.

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.

12^th January 2015

Game Night Report: Blackburn Hawks

Peterborough Phantoms 7 Blackburn Hawks 1

Alan Lack – 4 goal hero (Photo – Paul Young)

As you might recall, with the demise of the EPL Slough Jets we have a different format for the Challenge Cup this year, and it’s taken us until mid-December to get our first look at one of the three ENIHL teams in our Northern division, and the Phantoms first game against an ENIHL side since the pre-season double header against Invicta last year.

Unfortunately, previous results against Telford, Manchester and Sheffield mean that the Phantoms will not be contesting the cup semi-finals this year, effectively leaving these remaining games against Blackburn, Billingham and Solway as ‘dead rubbers’.

With little to play for in terms of cup standings, the challenge for the Phantoms was to ensure that they secured a good performance and a good result against a Blackburn team that only lost 5-2 last weekend against the Telford Tigers.

With Luke Ferrara on duty with the Sheffield Steelers, Darius Pliskauskas and Janis Auzins sitting out due to the cup restrictions, and Scott Robson returning from gold medal GB duty, the Phantoms ranks were swelled with the appearance of youngsters Adam Long from Chelmsford, Martins Susters, Mason Webster and Ryan Fraley who all gave a good account of themselves in an entertaining evening that saw the home side press home their superiority after a relatively close opening twenty minutes.

Blackburn’s roster is packed with experience. Luke and Adam Brittle, James Nurse, Richard Hughes, Jordan Bannon and Dan Mackriel have all played to some greater or lesser extent in the EPL; their team looked big and strong, and the Phantoms did well to secure a first period advantage in a feisty encounter that saw the visitors take the lead through Adam Brittle on 12 52, only for Alan Lack to jam home an equaliser a mere seven seconds later and James Ferrara to score a powerplay goal with only one second of the opening period remaining.

The Hawks played a physical game though the Phantoms weren’t to be outdone, with Webster, Pick, Lack and Webster all standing up to the challenge. With five minutes left in the first period Greg Pick and Luke Brittle faced up with both players landing blows before the stripeys separated the pair.

Long did well in the Phantoms’ goal, but was threatened moments later as Blackburn broke quickly into the Phantoms’ defensive zone, only to be foiled by the onrushing netminder who threw the kitchen sink, and his stick, at the onrushing forward.

The Phantoms reinforced their dominance in the second period as the Hawks struggled with the pace and skill of their opposition. Lack scored his second as Long got to the bench on a delayed penalty to make the score 3-1 after 24 minutes, and with a minute to go in the period James Ferrara swept in from a James White pass on the boards behind Dan Brittle’s goal for Ferrara’s second of the evening and White’s first senior point.

With the score being 4-1 at the start of the last period it was unlikely that the Phantoms were going to lose, and it was clear that Coach Koulikov was giving plenty of ice time for the younger players who were capably supported by Marc Levers, Eddie Bebris, Tom Norton and Milan Baranyk. It was terrific to see the older heads bringing the inexperienced lads into the game, most notably in the latter stages. Teamwork at its best.

The Weldon-Lack-Webster line continued their excellent work from last weekend and Lacky notched his hat-trick goal with only a minute of the period gone, though the strike was originally given to Weldon himself.

Marc Levers teased the Hawks throughout the evening and rounded off a fine move and another assist from White to make the score 6-1 after 43 minutes, and with ten minutes of the game left Alan Lack rounded off the scoring with his fourth and best of the evening, spinning onto a feed from Webster to make the score 7-1.

With thirty seconds left Koulikov called a timeout and pulled Long, perhaps in an attempt to get someone on the score sheet, but Blackburn kept the home side at bay.

This was a hugely entertaining evening, and full credit to the Hawks and their noisy band of supporters. Their team battled hard and gave the Phantoms something to think about in the first period, but paid the price for conceding a raft of penalties, largely due to the pace at which the Phantoms played their game.

In the end, the Phantoms had too much guile, speed and skill for their opposition and peppered the Hawks’ net throughout the game, with 48 shots on goal compared to Blackburn’s 17.

Dan Brittle was the Hawks’ MoM; without his performance tonight the margin of defeat could’ve been higher.

Phantoms’ MoM? Alan Lack, of course. Four goals and bags of energy.

When asked how a team gets themselves ready for a game like this one Weldon and Lack commented on treating the game like any other, and having a duty to play well for themselves, the team and the fans. One of the features of the last few weeks has been the work rate that the ‘grinders’ (Lack’s word, not mine) have gotten through, and the contribution that players like White, Susters, and in particular Mason Webster have made.

I hope that there is space for Webster to stay with the side for the remainder of the season. He has played with energy and determination, and no small amount of skill.

The Phantoms are back to league action against Manchester and Saturday, and are on the road against the Billingham Stars on Sunday.

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.

15^th December 2014