MATCH REPORT | PHANTOMS DENIED IN TIGHT PLAYOFF OPENER

A close battle at iceSheffield saw the Steeldogs take both points in the opening tie of your Wendy's Peterborough Phantoms' 2025-26 playoff campaign.

It was a less-than-ideal start for the Phantoms, as a rebounded Ivan Björkly Nordström shot fell to Kyle Watson on the doorstep, who made no mistake for 1-0 at 01:00.

The Steeldogs welcomed the momentum that followed their opener, with the next few minutes seeing chances for Brady Doxey and Björkly Nordström saved by Hayden Lavigne.

As the Phantoms began to regain a hold in the game, it was Scott Robson who went closest - a blue line effort well-saved by Brady Parker.

Dillon Lawrence was the next to see a shot saved - a great move down the wing fired on net, but deflected just wide.

A smart move between Zaine McKenzie and Jasper Foster almost got the visitors on the board - with a deke from Foster almost fooling Parker.

The first period ended with a penalty for the Phantoms, with a slash on the buzzer sending Tom Norton to the box. The Steeldogs looked to capitalise on the powerplay to open the middle frame.

A huge slapshot from Björkly Nordström saw an even bigger block from Scott Robson leave the Phantoms man momentarily winded - but soon up to make a second block, returning his side to full strength.

A Hough-led counterattack saw the visitors go close again, with the puck landing back with the free-scoring Canadian - again, denied by Parker.

Bair Gendunov was the next to go close - a turnover sending him through all alone, with Lavigne making a huge save to keep the deficit to one.

It was the home side who were next to score, with Nathan Ripley getting something on a Liam Steele blue liner to double the lead at 30:40.

A high stick on Robson at 31:57 was initially going unpunished, despite a search party forming to find the Phantoms man's missing tooth.

After some discussion, an extended powerplay was called - with Jonathan Phillips sitting 2+2 for high sticks at 31:57.

Lawrence and Hough were relentless on the first of Phillips' penalties, with Brady Parker repeatedly coming up big to deny them.

A shorthanded effort for Gendunov was the closest chance on the second of Phillips' penalties, before Liam Steele joined Phillips in the box at 35:49, this one for delay of the game.

It would be a short few seconds at 5-on-3, before returning to a standard powerplay.

With the Steeldogs back to full strength, the Phantoms finally found the back of the net.

A one-timer from the blue line from Zaine McKenzie deflected past Parker at 38:43, returning the deficit to one.

The final period opened brightly for the Phantoms. Some great work from Barni Sari forced a fine save out of Parker, with Foster seeing a rebound saved on the follow-up.

Davey Phillips was the next man to the box, sitting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at 43:08 - following some choice words towards the officials from the Steeldogs bench.

It was only half a powerplay for the Phantoms, however, with a Cam Hough hooking penalty evening things out at 43:45.

Morgan Clarke-Pizzo battled hard in the final ten minutes - setting up both Hough and Lawrence on the doorstep, but Parker continued to stand tall.

A huge hit behind Lavigne's goal saw Dillon Lawrence down CJ Garcia, triggering a coast-to-coast breakaway led by Lawrence and Ferrara. The final pass set up the Phantoms captain for a backhand rebound on the doorstep, which the officials deemed not to have crossed the line.

A 10-minute illegal equipment penalty took Bailey Yates out of the game at 52:51, following some discussion over his neck guard.