The Waldeck Peterborough Phantoms defeated the Bristol Pitbulls on their first NIHL National visit to Peterborough.
The first period was quiet in terms of high quality scoring chances, and the sides went into the intermission tied at 0-0.
Bristol took the lead though, when Caly Robertson tipped Ed Bradley’s powerplay effort beyond Jordan Marr and into the net.
And another powerplay brought up another goal for the visitors, as former Phantom Morgan Clarke-Pizzo hit the back of the net as a touch from Marr didn’t prove enough to keep it out.
But the Phantoms finally hit back with a powerplay goal of their own. When Callum Buglass found Ralfs Circenis in the right circle, he blasted it home for 2-1.
And they thought they were level just moments later when Austin Mitchell-King found the net, but the goal was disallowed by referee Adam Bicknell.
Phantoms didn’t let that get them down though and did eventually find the leveller. It was Duncan Speirs in the right spot, taking an assist from Glenn Billing to backhand home.
The third period began at a good pace and it was the Phantoms who took their first lead of the game. And it was a product of the top line again, as Billing prodded home from close range amidst a goal mouth scramble.
And they doubled their lead through Padelek, as he skated in from the right and ripped an unstoppable effort past Will Kerlin, on a goal which saw Marr pick up an assist.
But the Pitbulls were aggressive with their tactics and opted to pull the goalie with just under four minutes to play.
It instantly paid off, as Jay Warren scored through the five hole to make it a one goal game.
They did manage to get Kerlin back to the bench when Corey McEwen took a high sticking penalty, but Phantoms held on for the four point weekend.
Phantoms goals:
34:32 (PP 1-2 BP): #34 Ralfs Circenis / #45 Callum Buglass / #96 Jarvis Hunt (PPG)
39:00 (PP 2-2 BP): #38 Duncan Speirs / #72 Glenn Billing (EHG)
46:56 (PP 3-2 BP): #72 Glenn Billing / #93 Ales Padelek / #2 Tom Norton (EHG)
49:58 (PP 4-2 BP): #93 Ales Padelek / #11 Scott Robson / #33 Jordan Marr (EHG)
Pitbulls goals:
25:49 (PP 0-1 BP): #92 Caly Robertson / #7 Ed Bradley / #10 Owen Sobchack (PPG)
31:02 (PP 0-2 BP): #13 Morgan Clarke-Pizzo / #10 Owen Sobchak / #7 Ed Bradley (PPG)
56:20 (PP 4-3 BP): #16 Jay Warren / #27 Reece Kelly / #77 Bayley Harewood (EHG)
Phantoms man of the match: #45 Callum Buglass
Pitbulls man of the match: #27 Reece Kelly