The Waldeck Peterborough Phantoms got their weekend up and running with a solid victory over the Sheffield Steeldogs.
The task ahead of them wasn’t an easy one, as they travelled to Yorkshire with several regular fixtures of the team out of the line up. Kieran Gibbs stepped in once again from the Nottingham Lions, allowing the Phantoms to roll three full forward lines.
Phantoms got off to an excellent start and put themselves ahead with 3:33 played. Brad Bowering was the scorer, as he gained the offensive zone, pulled a nice move to get into the shooting lane and found the top shelf with his effort.
Duncan Speirs made it two on 8:22, with the Scottish forward in the right spot at the right time to tap home a rebound after Dan Crowe saved Lukas Sladkovsky’s effort.
Sheffield then had the chance to reduce the arrears as they broke 3-on-1, but found Jordan Marr in good form, as the Phantoms goalie pulled off two good stops to keep the puck out of the net.
Sladkovsky then took centre stage as he pulled off a one-handed-tuck for the third time in the last two games against the Steeldogs.
Sam Cooper put the Steeldogs on the board with just over a minute to play in the first period with a ripper from the blue line which went in off the post.
They got back to within one on 25:38 with a goal which was initially ruled out for a man in the crease and the net off its moorings. But after a discussion between the referees, the goal was awarded and credited to Jack Brammer.
Phantoms hit straight back, though, as Ferrara sprung Sladkovsky on a breakaway and the Czech forward snapped an effort into the bottom corner.
Bowering returned to the Phantoms locker room before the end of the second period due to injury, after taking a slash from Jason Hewitt. The Phantoms defenceman played no further part in the game.
The third period saw Phantoms ensure they kept hold of what they have, with chances fewer and further between for both teams.
Phantoms did almost score on the powerplay, however, as a lovely move eventually saw Ferrara shoot from the left circle, but Crowe did well to kick it away.
Ferrara put the icing on the cake with 22 seconds to play, scoring on the empty net to seal the win for Slava’s side.
FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steeldogs 2-5 Peterborough Phantoms
Phantoms goals:
3:33 (SS 0-1 PP): #23 Brad Bowering / #96 Jarvis Hunt / #5 Ivan Björkly Nordström (EHG)
8:22 (SS 0-2 PP): #38 Duncan Speirs / #91 Lukas Sladkovsky / #19 Luke Ferrara (EHG)
15:16 (SS 0-3 PP): #91 Lukas Sladkovsky / #19 Luke Ferrara / #23 Brad Bowering (EHG)
27:27 (SS 2-4 PP): #91 Lukas Sladkovsky / #19 Luke Ferrara / #38 Duncan Speirs (EHG)
59:38 (SS 2-5 PP): #19 Luke Ferrara (ENG)
Steeldogs goals:
18:59 (SS 1-3 PP): #43 Sam Cooper / #13 Vladislavs Vulkanovs / #20 Jono Phillips (EHG)
25:38 (SS 2-3 PP): #71 Jack Brammer / #17 Jason Hewitt / #73 Matt Bissonnette (EHG)
Phantoms man of the match: #91 Lukas Sladkovsky
​Steeldogs man of the match: #14 James Spurr
...