Goals flow again in a must-win cup clash

The goals are flowing again for Phantoms.

The city side have endured a frustrating spell in which they have seen a minimal return for a monumental amount of shots unleashed on the goal of opponents.

But a handsome success in a must-win clash at Planet Ice last Saturday night suggested a return to the freescoring ways of earlier this season is on the cards.

Two goals in the opening four minutes – from Glenn Billing and Darius Pliskauskas – provided a perfect start for Phantoms. Their advantage was halved by Cam Brownley’s powerplay strike, but that effort proved to be the visitors’ only breakthrough of the night.

Phantoms soon asserted again as Nathan Salem slammed in a slap-shot, but the opening period was brought to an early conclusion with just over two minutes remaining when the same player was left bloodied by a puck to the face.

And while Salem played no further part due to needing hospital treatment for a chin wound, Phantoms doubled their goal tally in the remainder of the game.

Billing struck for the second time just 71 seconds into the second period and a smart Leigh Jamieson finish to a slick move followed later in that period. James Ferrara completed the scoring in the lastsession.

“It was a big result for us,” said player-coach Tom Norton. “We were disappointed to lose up there the previous Saturday.

“We made mistakes in that game and failed to take a lot of chances, so it was good to put it right on our ice.”

Phantoms have now hopped back above the Steeldogs into second place in the three-team group. They are two points behind leaders Hull (who have played a game less) and one point ahead of Sheffield (who have played two fewer matches).

Phantoms still have to entertain Hull and Sheffield again, and also travel to face the latter club a second time. The top two finishers both advance to the latter stages of the competition.

Leigh Jamieson scored against Sheffield.