The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Phantoms keep their feet in banana skin game
Ice hockey - Agonising defeat followed by a superb win
Phantoms underlined their title credentials with one of their best performances and finest results of the NIHL Division One South season last Sunday.
The city men issued an emphatic statement of intent when thumping form team Raiders 7-1 in a game that many feared could become a Bretton banana skin.
Slava Koulikov’s men could have been forgiven for going into battle with trepidation given they had lost four of their previous six games (admittedly picking up a point in three of those reverses) while Raiders arrived on a ninegame hot streak (including a Challenge win against a touring American military team).
The Romford side’s fine record at Planet Ice - which includes a win last season and a controversial overtime triumph in the current campaign - could have been another cause for concern.
But Phantoms – led by a hat-trick from import star Ales Padelek – put the visitors to the sword during a dominant 60-minute display.
Padelek laid on the opener for Glenn Billing then doubled the lead as the hosts gained control in the first period before kicking on in the middle session. Billing returned the compliment by creating a goal for Padelek who then completed his hat-trick with a fierce shot from the point.
Raiders claimed a fortunate consolation before Corey McEwen ensured normal service resumed. He also struck again in the final period before Martins Susters completed the scoring.
Unsurprisingly Koulikov liked what he saw from his side before putting domestic duties aside to concentrate on international matters. He misses the next four Phantoms games as he takes charge of the Great Britain Under 20 side in their World Championship event in Estonia.
Assistant coach Jason Buckman and director of hockey Jon Kynaston will lead the side in Koulikov’s absence.
“It was a good and professional performance against a team who have been on fire lately,” said Koulikov.
“It was great to see us score a few goals for the first time in a while and I was also pleased with how we did defensively with the only Raiders goal coming from a deflection.
“We were also able to give the young guys a lot of ice time as well so it goes down as a very good night.
“I go away with the team in a good position and I’m sure that will be the case when I return as well. Jason and Jon will be on the bench for the next four games and I’m sure they will do a good job.”
■ Phantoms defenceman Bradley Bowering has been left out of Koulikov’s squad due to a hip problem, but he will feature for the GB Under 18 side in their World Championship event later in the year.