Telford trip is not make or break, says Koulikov

Phantoms chief Slava Koulikov has predicted the NIHL National Division title race will go right down to the wire.

The top three teams in the sport’s new second tier are split by just six points as a thrilling race to be crowned the inaugural champions continues.

Long-time leaders Telford still have a three-point cushion over second-placed Swindon, but Phantoms’ terrific winning streak – which stands at 11 games in total, nine of which have been in the league plus two cup semi-finals - has now dragged them into serious contention in third position.

Phantoms claimed a dramatic overtime success against Swindon in a Planet Ice thriller last Sunday and will now attempt to claim the scalp of the pacesetters when travelling to Telford this Saturday (7pm).

But Koulikov was keen to play down the significance of the Shropshire showdown against a side Phantoms will also meet over two legs in March for the NIHL National Cup.

“There are big games for every team in every weekend,” said Koulikov.

“Many people may look at our game in Telford and think it is really important in terms of the title, but for us it is just another night.

“Our goal is to go there, play well and hopefully pick up another two points to close the gap again.

“I know the Telford coach Tom Watkins well as we worked together for a couple of years in the GB set-up, and I also know a few of their guys too.

“They are pretty strong people mentally and I expect them to come out and play in the same way Swindon did against us last Sunday.

“Winning games in any sport builds confidence and that is clear in our locker room at the moment.

“It has brought us into a really good position, but no matter how well we have done in previous games, we must always strive to do better and try to find another 10 or 15 per cent of improvement.

“Anything can happen from here and I have a feeling it will go all the way to end of the season.”

Koulikov was delighted with the performance and character of his side as they saw off Swindon in dramatic style last weekend.

Phantoms saw a two-goal lead disappear during regulation time with the Wildcats claiming a late leveller to earn a point.

But the city men refused to be denied victory in overtime when Martins Susters struck in style.

Koulikov added: “Every single one of my guys was magnificent again - just as they have been so often lately.

“We knew it was a do-or-die game for Swindon after they lost at home to Telford on Saturday night.

“Aaron (Swindon coach Nell) asked his main guys to answer the call and they did that.

“But we wanted to keep our great run going and the resilience of our group is unbelievable.

“We never gave up even after conceding the late goal in regulation time and Martins produced an unbelievable goal to win it in overtime.”

Phantoms had started last weekend with a 4-1 success in Sheffield which took their winning run into double-figures.

They complete the coming weekend with a Sunday trip to lowly Bracknell who have slipped to next-to-bottom in the table (5.30pm).

Bracknell can be a fiesty team and are sure to test Phantom’s discipline.

Slave Koulikov (right) is trying not to put too much emphasis on Saturday’s clash with leaders Telford