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Ice Hockey: Phantoms blow as Carlon's ruled out for weeks
Peterborough Phantoms' injury crisis deepened as coach Doug Irwin revealed influential forward Tom Carlon could be out for weeks with an ongoing shoulder problem.
Peterborough Phantoms' injury crisis deepened as coach Doug Irwin revealed influential forward Tom Carlon could be out for weeks with an ongoing shoulder problem.Irwin's side face crucial English Premier League games at Swindon Wildcats tonight (Saturday, face-off 5.45pm) and then host high-flying Slough Jets at the Peterborough Arena tomorrow (face-off 5.30pm).
But their cause has been severely damaged by the loss of 6ft 5in power forward Carlon who has been told rest is the only cure.
The former Telford man picked up the injury in a fight with Bracknell's Shane Moore last November and has been playing through the pain barrier ever since.
Carlon's already has 13 goals this season - including a hat-trick against Sheffield two weeks ago - and his loss will be a big blow as Phantoms fight to maintain their unbeaten start to 2010.
But with doubts over top scorer Maris Ziedins, Doug MacIver and without Callum Fowler and Julian Smith, another man down is the last thing Irwin needs.
He said: "Tom was told a few months ago that the shoulder would be okay but in reality it has been getting worse and worse.
"It has got to the stage where if he does not rest it for a few weeks he could do some serious damage.
"So he is going to be out but we are hoping that Maris and Doug could play some part. I know they are both desperate to play but we will have to see."
Despite Phantoms problems, tonight's game in Swindon has been made a little easier after Wildcats sacked netminder Geoff Woolhouse on Monday for a headbutt on Slough's Nicky Watt last weekend.
"Wildcats have had their problems but that is no reason for us to be taking it easy. They will be desperate to get some points at home so I think they will be a very dangerous opponent and we will have to work hard to get anything," added Irwin.
"Despite all our problems we are in excellent form as the guys have been working extra hard to cover and if we can keep doing that then we will can get the win."
Picking up the points against third-placed Slough while so short benched could be a different story however.
The Jets have Phantoms number this season after beating the defending EPL champions three times in four games and Irwin knows the Bretton crowd will have a crucial role to play tomorrow night.
Irwin said: "Slough are a well organised team who can deliver the goods home and away so we will really need the crowd to give us the lift we need to get over the line.
"They have been incredible this season through thick and thin and we will need them to be at their loudest tomorrow night."
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Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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