Phantoms fire a five-star finale

They went in search of history, but they were left suffering heartbreak.

Peterborough Phantoms’ quest for an unprecedented quadruple ended in the most cruel of circumstances in Coventry on Sunday.

The city team were pipped 5-4 by Hull in an occasionally brilliant and almost always breathless Grand Final of the NIHL Final Four which was settled by an overtime goal.

Pirates man Bobby Chamberlain hit the decisive strike just over halfway through the additional five minutes of three-on-three action which hadtheSkydomecrowdonthe edges of their seats.

A high-scoring contest between two high-class teams seemed inevitable and that’s exactly what the stars of the South and top dogs of the North served up with Phantoms clawing themselves level on three occasions before being undone in sudden-death.

They left themselves with a mountain to climb after conceding twice in the space of two-and-a-half minutes early on.

Hull import Sonny Karlsson reacted quickest following a face-off to hit the opener before player-coach Jason Hewitt doubled the advantage in a delayed penalty situation following a giveaway by Tom Norton.

Corey McEwen steered a glorious opportunity wide as Phantoms searched for a reply, but they began to claw their way back into the contest when Ales Padelek struck from a tight angle.

Young defenceman Callum Buglass then equalised in the closing minute of the first period, finishing with all the class and craft of a top forward as he collected a James White pass and beat Pirates netminder Ashley Smith from close in.

Hull were then dealt a major blow by the unfortunate exit of Karlsson with blood pouring from his face after being hit by a puck during that opening session.

His side were back ahead by the time the Swede returned sporting a cage during the second period thanks to a goal gift-wrapped by Phantoms defenceman Robbie Ferrara.

He surrendered the puck to Lee Bonner who saw his initial shot saved by Jordan Marr, but Chamberlain was perfectly placed to gleefully tap in the rebound.

However, Phantoms weren’t behind for long as Glenn Billing tucked away the puck after a Padelek effort was blocked in traffic.

Chances came thick and fast at both ends with Marr doing magnificently to deny former Peterborough man James Archer after Martins Susters had slammed over for Phantoms.

A smart save by Smith then prevented Padelek from putting the city men ahead as the clock ticked into the final minute of a frantic stanza.

The same exchange came complete with the same result early in the final session as Padelek was again thwarted by Smith while Marr kept Karlsson at bay at the other end.

But it was the patched-up Hull forward who emerged victorious when their paths next crossed to put his side ahead for a third time, but Phantoms weren’t about to roll over.

Captain James Ferrara was on hand to bring them level again when putting away a loose puck after Padelek’s wraparound shot was saved.

A wonderful Marr stop from Chamberlain ensured it remained that way in regulation time but the same Pirates man then settled the issue in overtime after Billing had seen a glorious chance kept out by Smith.

While Phantoms missed out on a slice of history, they can take ample consolation from producing a season that will live long in the memory.

And they can also hold their heads high in defeat at the hands of an accomplished set of opponents. Peterborough Phantoms won a high-scoring semi-final to reach the NIHL Final Four showpiece at the Skydome Arena.

Phantoms certainly didn’t have it all their own way against the Steeldogs in a game where they only gained full control in the final period when going on a five-star scoring spree.

Earlier they fell behind when Sheffield import Adrian Palak struck from behind the net in the closing minute of a tense first period.

But the shackles well and truly came off in the middle session when the two teams with the best defensive records in their respective divisions shared seven goals. Admittedly Sheffield were without their first-choice netminder Dimitri Zimozdra due to suspension.

An equaliser from Glenn Billing was followed just 66 seconds later by a Corey McEwen effort as Phantoms turned the game only to be pegged back by Ash Calvert on a powerplay.

The frantic action continued as Will Weldon briefly restored the Phantoms advantage before Steeldogs import Milan Kolena produced a terrific solo strike to level again.

And the teams then traded powerplay goals as Martins Susters’ effort was cancelled out by Sheffield player-coach Ben Morgan as they headed back to the dressing rooms locked together at 4-4.

But the final period was all about Phantoms as they stormed to victory with five unanswered goals to book their place in the final.

It was only 51 seconds old when Weldon helped himself to his second of the evening and Billing followed suit when netting in a shorthanded situation to stretch the advantage.

Susters then became the third Phantoms forward to strike for a second time before captain James Ferrara got in the act with little more than four minutes to go.

And the city side’s progress into a first final since their 2015 success in the English Premier League was already assured by the time young talent Jarvis Hunt completed the scoring with 47 seconds left on the clock.

Hull Pirates saw off South runners-up Bracknell 6-2 in the other semi.

Glenn Billing scores against Sheffield.