MATCH REPORT | PHANTOMS BOW OUT OF THE NIHL CUP IN SHEFFIELD

A five-goal deficit proved too much to overcome for the Wendy's Peterborough Phantoms, as the Sheffield Steeldogs secured a 5-1 victory at iceSheffield - ending the Phantoms' NIHL Cup campaign at the semi-final stage.

The Steeldogs set the tone early, as Walker Sommer converted Ben Morgan's set-up pass at 05:05 - putting the Steeldogs 5-4 up on aggregate.

Some good play between Jasper Foster and Louie Kynaston looked to gain some momentum for the visitors, but the Steeldogs' defence prevented any real chances from testing Brady Parker.

A breakaway opportunity for Nathan Ripley set up Jacob Brammer in close, but Hayden Lavigne did well to keep the deficit to one.

The game began to get away from the Phantoms, as Bair Gendunov extended his side's lead at 10:53, firing home Jonathan Phillips' drop pass.

The Phantoms' backs were to the wall, as momentum swung against them. It was a familiar face who was next to score, as Ivan Björkly Nordström lifted an effort over Lavigne at 14:26, after Cole Shudra dispossessed a Phantoms man out wide.

With Coach Tait calling a timeout at 3-0, Cam Hough looked to get his side back in the game from the first offensive zone faceoff. A driven effort almost caught Parker off-guard, with the Steeldogs goaltender making a good save blocker-side.

With Jonathan Kirk in the box for interference, the Phantoms were presented with their first powerplay of the game. Janne Laakkonen found Ferrara in the slot - but Parker again stood tall, before the Steeldogs returned to full strength.

The Steeldogs opened the second period with the same intensity as the first. Sommer and Shudra both tested Lavigne early, before a turnover from the Phantoms goaltender allowed Gendunov to fire home his second of the game.

Cole Shudra and Ivan Björkly Nordström continued to link up well, with two tic-tac-toe chances denied by Lavigne in quick succession.

Luke Ferrara was next to the penalty box, serving a 2-minute minor penalty for slashing. A big block by Billy Thorpe held the Steeldogs at 4, with the Phantoms ending the period at full strength.

The third period opened more positively for the Phantoms, with Ferrara hitting the crossbar early - before Kyle Watson was sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct.

With the Steeldogs back to full strength, Tom Norton was the next man to the box - his penalty for kneeing. Bair Gendunov's hat trick goal came on this powerplay, tapping home Shudra's bobbled effort at 49:39 - following some patient play from CJ Garcia on the blue line.

The visitors didn't have to wait long after the Steeldogs' fifth to score their first of the game. Jasper Foster found Janne Laakkonen in the neutral zone, with Laakkonen battling to retain possession. A pass from behind the net found Kynaston, who set up Foster in close for a top-shelf finish over Parker.

Some late shifts from AJ Herring, Louie Kynaston and Jasper Foster looked to spark some energy into a deflated Phantoms side - but the score remained at 5-1 (9-5 on aggregate).

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steeldogs 5-1 Peterborough Phantoms (9-5 on aggregate)

Steeldogs Goals:
05:05 (SS 1-0 PP): #8 Walker Sommer / #6 Ben Morgan (EHG)
10:53 (SS 2-0 PP): #11 Bair Gendunov / #20 Jonathan Phillips (EHG)
13:26 (SS 3-0 PP): #72 Ivan Björkly Nordström / #27 Cole Shudra / #37 Kyle Watson (EHG)
24:51 (SS 4-0 PP): #11 Bair Gendunov [Unassisted] (EHG)
46:32 (SS 5-0 PP): #11 Bair Gendunov [Hat Trick] / #27 Cole Shudra / #96 CJ Garcia (PPG)

Phantoms Goal:
49:39 (SS 5-1 PP): #95 Jasper Foster / #8 Louie Kynaston / #62 Janne Laakkonen (EHG)