The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Phantoms still control their play-off destiny
Peterborough Phantoms players have been reminded their play-off destiny remains in their own hands despite another mixed weekend.
The city side looked to have one foot in finals weekend after they followed a 6-3 Saturday night win in Basingstoke by taking a 1-0 lead into the final period of the return game against the Bison at Planet Ice 24 hours later.
But the visitors rallied to score three unanswered goals in the final period to leave everything to play for in the final weekend with all four teams in the group having a chance of qualifying for finals weekend in Coventry on April 30/May 1.
Sheffield Steeldogs took command of the group last weekend by beating Swindon Wildcats twice.
Sheffield have six points from four games, two points clear of Phantoms and Basingstoke, with Swindon on two points.
Phantoms travel to Sheffield on Friday before hosting the Steeldogs at Planet Ice on Sunday (5.30pm).
Swindon play back-to-back games against Basingstoke this weekend.
If teams finish level on points the ‘head-to-head’ results would determine the final placings. Phantoms have the edge on both Swindon and Basingstoke in that department.
Phantoms development coach Lee Elias said: “The playoffs are a journey. Sometimes it’s positive and sometimes it’s painful.
“What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes and understand that our destiny is still within our control. Our journey is not done yet.
“Sheffield are an extremely worthy opponent and will challenge us to earn a spot in Coventry. It’s a challenge that we must embrace.”
Phantoms led 5-0 midway through the second period of a spicy affair in Basingstoke and although the hosts rallied to 5-3 with 12 minutes to go, a Scott Robson goal in the 52nd minute secured the points.
Jasper Foster, Duncan Speirs, Jarvis Hunt, Ales Padelek and Glenn Billing also netted for Phantoms on a night when the city side had to withstand some bruising physical punishment.
But at Planet Ice the following day Phantoms couldn’t take advantage of early superiority. They outshot their visitors 19-8 in a goalless first period. The trend continued into the second period until Petr Stepanek fired Phantoms in front on 37:54.
But Basingstoke playercoach Ashley Tait blasted an effort beyond Phantoms netminder Jordan Marr from the blue line on a powerplay early in the final period.
And the Bison hit the front for the first time in the game with just over five minutes to play, Alex Roberts this time firing home an effort from the blue line, with Ales Padelek sitting in the Phantoms’ penalty box. Tait sealed the deal in the closing moments with an empty net goal.
GOAL STATS At Basingstoke Phantoms:
15:55:Foster/Robson/ Billing.
16:36: Padelek 23:00:Billing/Speirs /Padelek. 28:37:Hunt/Stepanek. 29:06: Speirs/Norton.
51:18: Robson/Billing/Speirs.
Basingstoke
35:40: Roberts/Dewey/ Morris 38:51: Sampford/Petts/Roberts. 47:42:Norcliffe/Tait/Mettam
At Planet Ice Phantoms:
7:54:Stepanek/Salem/Buglass.
Basingstoke
43:56: Tait/Milton/Roberts. 54:47: Roberts/Tait/Milton. 58:54:Tait.