THE Islanders face an uphill battle if they are to add to their silverware collection this season after two indifferent performances at the Peterborough Arena over the weekend.
On Saturday Jesse Hammill's side took on Sheffield Spartans in the first leg of the English National League Cup final and roared into a 4-2 midway lead in the second period after two goals apiece for Jason Buckman and Ross Mackintosh.
But the lea
d proved to be short lived as the Spartans pulled it back and, while Kristian Simo did restore his side's lead briefly, the Sheffield side kept their cool to bag an equaliser which makes them slight favourites for the return leg on Sunday (face-off 5pm).
And it got worse for the city side the following night when Nottingham Lions rolled in for the first leg of the game to decide which team will be crowned overall league kings of the ENL.
Despite goals for Jamie Holland, Mackintosh and two for Simo, northern champions Nottingham took the game 5-4 and became the first team to beat the Isles at their own rink all season.
The second leg with the Lions will be held on May 18 (face-off 8.15pm).
Having already won the Southern A and overall Southern crown, the Islanders are currently enjoying the most successful season in the history of the club.
The full article contains 232 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
