The Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms claimed victory over the Basingstoke Bison on Sunday night to secure a four point weekend, ahead of Wednesday night’s National Cup Semi-Final Second Leg against the Sheffield Steeldogs.
It was a changed Phantoms lineup again as Callum Buglass and Jasper Foster missed out, alongside Tom Norton, Morgan Clarke-Pizzo, Corey McEwen and Nathan Salem. Louie Kynaston and AJ Herring were away on Phantoms NIHL2 duty.
But they came out with a spring in their step and took the lead on 3:39 when Billy Thorpe pinched in on attack he started, finding the back of the Bison net with an assured finish from out in front.
Phantoms continued to apply pressure and went close again when Luke Ferrara let fly with a fierce slap shot from the blue line, which was repelled by the Bison goalie.
But the second goal followed at 8:21 when Max Wright put Phantoms on the powerplay by firing the puck over the glass, and Dillon Lawrence found space out in front to fire home his first of the evening.
The Bison got on the board against the run of play with 1:30 to play in the first period as Brendan Sellan gained the zone and rung his low shot in off the post.
Phantoms had a third at 22:09 when Janne Laakkonen found Cam Hough in close and the Canadian forward converted goal number 41 of an already extremely impressive season.
Barni Sari didnt appear for the second period and Scott Robson left the game mid-way through the second as Phantoms’ injury issues worsened, but they struck again at 33:15 when Lawrence lasered a perfectly placed finish into the far top corner on a nice assist from Ralfs Circenis.
George Norcliffe posed a threat for the away side as he found space in the left circle to test Hayden Lavigne before Zaine McKenzie called Max Wright back into action shortly after.
Ferrara added goal number five in the opening minute of the third period, with a tidy finish on another lovely assist from Man of the Match, Lawrence.
That turned out to be Phantoms’ scoring done, but the Bison hit back at 45:19 when Adam Erskine found Adam Harding out in front and the Welsh forward applied a good finish into the top corner.
They made it a two goal game when Billy Thorpe was called for an alleged trip and George Norcliffe pounced on a rebound to reduce the score to 5-3.
Phantoms continued to have chances as Ferrara and Circenis missed breakaways, whilst Luke Spadafora went close with a redirect from right in front of Lavigne.
In the end, Phantoms comfortably held out for the victory, ensuring a four point weekend for Ashley Tait’s side.
FINAL SCORE: Peterborough Phantoms 5-3 Basingstoke Bison
Phantoms goals:
3:39 (PP 1-0 BB): #25 Billy Thorpe / #19 Luke Ferrara / #33 Ralfs Circenis (EHG)
8:21 (PP 2-0 BB): #14 Dillon Lawrence / #62 Janne Laakkonen / #29 Cam Hough (PPG)
22:09 (PP 3-1 BB): #29 Cam Hough / #62 Janne Laakkonen (EHG)
33:15 (PP 4-1 BB): #14 Dillon Lawrence / #33 Ralfs Circenis / #23 Brad Bowering (EHG)
40:28 (PP 5-1 BB): #19 Luke Ferrara / #14 Dillon Lawrence / #23 Brad Bowering (EHG)
Bison goals:
18:30 (PP 2-1 BB): #22 Brendan Sellan / #94 Stuart Mogg / #89 Tom Relf (EHG)
45:19 (PP 5-2 BB): #4 Adam Harding / #19 Adam Erskine / #94 Stuart Mogg (EHG)
50:32 (PP 5-3 BB): #16 George Norcliffe / #89 Tom Relf / #93 Luke Spadafora (PPG)
Phantoms man of the match: #14 Dillon Lawrence
Bison man of the match: #42 Max Wright