Phantoms bounce back after winning streak ends

Peterborough Phantoms saw their four-game winning streak ended by neighbours MK Lightning in a thrilling contest on Saturday night.

But the city side bounced back impressively to see off lowly Basingstoke Bison at Planet Ice 24 hours later to consolidate a mid-table place in the National League.

It finished 3-2 at MK and 6-3 against the Bison.

But they didn’t have it all their own way against the Bison as the visitors took an early lead through player/coach, Ashley Tait, who redirected Brendan Baird’s blue line effort past Phantoms netminder Jordan Marr.

Tom Norton got the Phantoms back on level terms with an absolute screamer of a slapshot, before Jarvis Hunt sent Slava Koulikov’s side into the first intermission with the lead, courtesy of a tap in.

It didn’t take the Bison long to level the scores early in the second period, as Aidan Doughty picked out George Norcliffe with the cross crease pass, and the latter found the finishing touch.

Hunt notched his second of the night from close

range, tapping home once again after good work by Petr Stepanek.

As the third period went on, it began to feel like the next goal was going to be crucial, and that’s exactly how it turned out to be.

Phantoms’ Glenn Billing was the man who found that goal to restore the twogoal advantage, before Corey McEwen ripped home from close range to stretch the lead out.

Zack Milton pulled one back for the Bison with a smart finish from out in front, but Stepanek concluded the scoring with under two minutes to go with his first goal since his return to Phantoms. McEwen was credited with the assist.

Bison didn’t finish the match in a happy frame of mind as they declined to stay on the ice for the traditional man-of-the-match presentations.

NortonwonthePhantoms award while the Bison man of the match was shelved much to the delight of another boisterous home crowd.

After a goalless first period at MK, Phantoms twice fought back to equalise through goals from Tom Norton and Morgan Clarke-Pizzo before the home side won the match with just over two minutes to go.

Marr saved a penalty shot in the final period and had been outstanding in the opening stanza when MK had the better of the chances.