The Peterborough Phantoms NIHL2 team have two trophies in their back pocket already and they’re now on the hunt for a third. We caught up with Coach Nathan Pollard ahead of their Playoff Semi-Final against the Cardiff Canucks.
Pollard is in his second season as the Player Coach of Phantoms’ NIHL2 side and this term has been very productive for the team. They’ve already secured the NIHL2 South Cup and the Eddie Joseph Memorial Trophy and breezed through to the Semi-Final of the playoffs by beating the Solent Junior Devils 22-0.
The Peterborough Phantoms NIHL2 side have several current and former senior Phantoms in their side. Phantoms goalie Luke Clark, prospects Mathew Saville, Nick Martin and AJ Herring all play for Phantoms NIHL2, as do Nathan Pollard, Conor Pollard, Nathan Long, James White, Ross Clarke, Taylor Romeo and Leo Markey.
Pollard is happy with what he’s seen this season, but he and his players are hungry for more with the big crown the next trophy on offer.
“I’m really pleased with how it’s gone so far, the team have performed phenomenally all season so far and are hungry for more silverware. Having four players named in the all star teams is also great to see those guys who have had outstanding seasons being recognised by the coaches and captains around the league.” Pollard said.
He continued: “It’s a great feeling [to have two trophies already secured], the feeling of winning a trophy never gets old, and you never know when your next one will come along. You have to soak up and enjoy every moment you have being in contention for them.”
One of the rare mishaps this season for the Phantoms NIHL2 team was losing out on the league title to the Guildford Phoenix by just two points. But Pollard is proud of the efforts of his players, who rarely dropped points all season long.
“It was a close one! Losing out by two points to Guildford was a tough one for us, only losing one game in regulation all season and still not winning the league is difficult. Whilst it’s easy to point at the regulation loss in Haringey, I still think we should be proud of our efforts, and any other season we’d likely have the winners medals for the league too. Full credit to Guildford who have remained consistent all season. Although the scheduling didn’t help, with us having finished our campaign and Guildford still with seven games left to play!”
Being in his second season as a coach, Pollard is still relatively new to it, but has enjoyed success during his short coaching career so far. He recently took to the senior Phantoms bench in the absence of Slava Koulikov and enjoyed a four point weekend. It’s something he’s looking to progress in when he does eventually call time on his playing career.
“I’m really enjoying it, the planning, tactics and in game adjustments I’m still learning week by week, but I have a great group of players around me and two supportive assistant coaches who have been around the game for a long time too. I’m still loving the playing side of the game right now so I’ve still got a few years left in my legs before calling it a day I think!”
They began their playoff campaign in serious style as they defeated the Solent Junior Devils 22-0 to progress into the semi-finals. This weekend, they’ll take on the Cardiff Canucks, who defeated the Haringey Huskies to book their spot in the semi’s.
“I think we all need to make sure we are ready from the first minute till the last, we’ve been able to get away with some 40 minute performances this season, but in playoff hockey you can’t afford to have a period off or it could well be the end of your season. If we play consistently and with the confidence we’ve played with all season then we are certainly going to give ourselves a good chance.” Pollard said.
Tickets for Saturday’s home game (6:30pm face off at Planet Ice Peterborough) have been reduced to just £4 for adults, £2 for 11-16 year olds and children aged 10 and under go free!
Pollard is keen to see as many fans in attendance as possible to cheer his team to victory.
“As it’s our last home game of the season, we really need all the support we can get to push us to Sheffield next week(our leagues Coventry equivalent) we’ve made tickets half price, meaning adults are only £4! An absolutely bargain for some hard hitting intense playoff hockey, hope to see you all there!” Pollard concluded.
If you’re not making the trip to support the senior Phantoms in Telford on Saturday night, then get yourselves down to Planet Ice Peterborough to support Pollard and his team in their playoff campaign!