The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Phantoms need a swagger in their step for play- offs
Phantoms head coach Jon Kynaston has ordered his players to finish the regular season with a flourish. The city club are all but guaranteed a place in the English Premier League play- offs, but Kynaston wants to arrive there in good form.
Phantoms wrap up their regular campaign with a trip to Slough on Saturday followed by a home game against Telford on Sunday.
Phantoms havelost four of their last five games, suffering back- to- back blank weekends either side of a stunning success over champions elect Guildford last Wednesday ( March 6).
That was a welcome win as eighth- placed Phantoms could well face the Flames again in the play- off quarterfinals. They had lost all five previous encounters against them this season.
Kynaston said:“The victory over Guildford was probably the most satisfying result of the season and it will certainly give usap sychological boost if we meet them again in the play- offs.
“Obviously it was disappointing not to follow it up with points at the weekend, but we didn’t play particularly well in either game in all honesty.
“That is something we have to address as we need to go into the play- offs with a swagger in our step. That means playing well and picking up results this weekend.
“We have a weekend off between the end of the regular season and the start of the play- offs but that is something I would rather not have.
“We can’t do anything about the way the fixtures have fallen but it does put plenty of emphasis on this coming weekend.”
A dreadful power play was a particular cause for concern following a 3- 1 derby defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Milton Keynes last Sunday. The weekend had begun with a 7- 2 thumping in Manchester the previous night.
Despite those results, Phantoms remain eight points clear of the Sheffield Steeldogs and also boast a vastly superior goal difference. Only a miraculous set of circumstances could now deprive them of a play- off spot.
Phantoms were boosted by the return of forward Jamie Line from injury against Milton Keynes.
Third- liner Line had been sidelined for six weeks with a separated shoulder but could have a big part to play in the play- offs when linemates Lewis Hook and Jordan Cownie area way with the Great Britain Under 18 squad.
Young defenceman Alex Whyte and Declan Balmer, and head coach Jon Kynaston, will also miss the majority of the play- offs for the same reason. They could return for the final in Coventry on April 6 if Phantoms progress that far.