Ice Hockey preview: Midweek win should be forgotten
Peterborough Phantoms would be foolish reading too much into their midweek Planet Ice Shield win against Basingstoke Bison according to coach Doug Irwin.
Peterborough Phantoms would be foolish reading too much into their midweek Planet Ice Shield win against Basingstoke Bison according to coach Doug Irwin.After losing twice to Bison this season, a James Knight hat-trick inspired Phantoms to their first success against the former Elite League outfit on Wednesday night.
They now return to English Premier League duty in Basingstoke tonight (face-off 6.30pm) before taking on the Romford Raiders at the Peterborough Arena tomorrow (face-off 5.30pm).
And while his side will be confident of building on their recent successes, Irwin insists if they are to make that happen and continue their rise up the EPL standings, Wednesday night must be quickly forgotten.
He said: "Of course the win against Bison was a boost for us and I thought we played well against a very good team. It was important we kept our momentum going, especially after beating Guildford last Sunday.
"But Bison were missing a few guys on Wednesday and I think it would be dangerous for us to think we have got one up on them.
"Tonight's game is a league match and will have a lot more intensity so we have to watch out for that.
"We need to go there and be smart, play a tight, defensive game and make sure we are alert enough to take our chances when they arrive.
"Over the past few weeks the guys have shown a real improvement and are really starting to play to their potential and if we get it right we can win in Basingstoke and against Romford on Sunday."
Phantoms go into both games with just three imports. With doubts over the fitness of Tom Carlon and the continuing absence of Joe Miller, it going to be all hands to the pump.
"I can confirm the club is looking for an import defenceman at this stage.
"But at the moment we have not been able to secure the kind of player we want but I am confident we will make it happen soon," added Irwin.
"Miller will miss both games this weekend and there is a doubt about Tom.
"He injured his shoulder in his fight against Bracknell and while he has been playing through pain there is a doubt about him.
"But if we keep pulling together and working hard out there, we have the depth to cover those absences - as long as we stick to the gameplan."
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 12 March 2010
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