The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Phantoms set to get an early taste of play- off hockey
Phantoms are to be gripped by ‘ mini play- off’ fever a couple of months early. Head coach Jon Kynaston has likened back- to- back clashes againstEnglishPremierLeague rivals Sheffield Steeldogs this weekend to end- of- season battles in the race for honours.
Phantoms travel to iceSheffield on Saturday ( 7.30pm) before renewing rivalries with their pursuers at the Peterborough Arena the following day ( 5.30pm).
They go into the doubleheaderinpossessionofthefinal play- off spot with a four point cushion over their opponents.
And while nothing will be settled this weekend, a couple of wins would leave Phantoms odds- on to make the top eight.
Kynaston said: “I expect two full- on games of hockey.
“Sheffield will aim to play at a high tempo on Saturday and makeuseoftheirlargeicepack.
“In our rink it is much more congestedandI’msuretheywill adopt a high- pressure gameplan.
“It is up to use to remain composed and to get on the puck early and dictate the way the game is played.
“Nothing will be settled this weekend but a couple of good results for either teamcanhave a big impact on things.
“Weobviously hopetocome out on top and it would be terrific to pick up two wins.
“We’ve not had a four- point weekend as yet and we will strive to makeithappenonSaturday and Sunday.
“Theonly thing wedefinitely do not want is to come out of the weekend empty- handed.
“We will see what some of our guys are madeofthis weekend.”
Kynaston insists his main focus remains on reeling in the teams sat above Phantoms in the standings.
He added: “I much prefer to look up the table rather than downonwhat is happening behind us.
“We are striving to finish as high as we possibly can and I think it could end up being a threeorfour- teambattleforthe final couple of play- off spots.”