Swindon are knocked off their perch at Planet Ice

The table-toppers were well and truly toppled at Planet Ice last Sunday.

Phantoms produced a terrific display to send title-favourites Swindon tumbling from the NIHL National Division summit.

A devastating spell of three goals in less than two minutes duringthesecondperiodhanded them control before they struck twice in a minute late on to seal a memorable triumph.

A Petr Stepanek bullet provided the breakthrough for Phantoms just past the midpoint of the opening period before two terrific saves from netminder Jordan Marr denied Wildcats import Tomasz Malasinski a leveller as Swindon threatened while shorthanded.

But the visitors soon restored parity when back up to a full complement as playercoach Aaron Nell finished a well-worked breakaway.

And the Wildcats completed the turnaround early in the second period when the fast skating of Chris Jones put a second goal on a plate for Toms Rutkis at the back post, but Swindon were soon stunned by a rapid Phantoms response.

PHANTOMS

10.04 Stepanek ass: Susters/Long 26.46 Padelek ass: J. Ferrara

27.51 C. Pollard ass: O’Flaherty/Norton 28.26 Susters ass: Stepanek/McEwen 53.36 Padelek (SH) unassisted 54.35 N. Pollard ass: Stepanek/Bowering

SWINDON

14.03 Nell ass: Birbraer/Malansinski 21.55 Rutkis ass: Jones/Nethersell 45.41 Malasinski ass: Nell/Godfrey

PHANTOMS Ales Padelek

SWINDON Tomasz Malasinski

Ales Padelek’s super slapshot launched the rip-roaring spell before Conor Pollard pounced to put the city side back ahead – and their lead was quickly extended when Martins Susters got in on the act after being picked out by a super Stepanek pass.

A two-goal cushion against ateamstackedwithqualitywas never going to be secure and

Swindon duly halved their arrears when Malasinski coolly put away a fine Nell pass in the sixthminuteofthefinalperiod.

A brilliant save from Wildcats netminder Renny Marr denied Phantoms captain James Ferrara, but the visiting goaltender was soon in far more charitable mood as a night which featured plenty of the sublime was settled by a momentthatcouldcertainlybe classed as ridiculous.

Phantoms could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Corey McEwen collected a needless penalty for delaying the game, but rather than having to battle to hold on to their lead they were gifted a goal.

Marr left his crease to collect a puck, but inexplicably sent a pass against his own post and gifted Padelek the easiest goal of a career spanning more than 20 years.

And it was followed by a clincher 59 seconds later as Nathan Pollard capped an excellent display with a searing strike to register his second goal in as many days.

The success was even more valuable as it counted towards the NIHL National Cup standings as well.