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Phantoms 6, Guildford 7 - Rempel returns to stun the Phantoms
6-6 after regulation time (English Premier League): NATHAN Rempel onced walked on water in these parts, but last night Peterborough Phantoms fans would have loved to see their former idol take a soaking after watching him net an overtime winner for their club.
6-6 after regulation time (English Premier League): NATHAN Rempel onced walked on water in these parts, but last night Peterborough Phantoms fans would have loved to see their former idol take a soaking after watching him net an overtime winner for their club.Rempel's goals were a huge part of Phantoms' treble success under Colin Patterson last season and the Canadian is still revered in Bretton despite jumping ship to Guildford Flames last summer.
But whether or not Rempel stays on that pedestal remains to be seen after the Canadian sniper's rising drive settled a pulsating game at the Peterborough Arena the way of his new employers.
It was certainly hard luck on Phantoms and in particular the marvellous Joe Miller, who deserved to be the headline story after scoring four cracking goals.
But it was not just Miller who deserved to feel hard done after the defending English Premier League champions delivered one of the best team performances of what has been a real roller coaster campaign.
Sadly new Phantoms coach Tim Peacock was not on the bench to see his mercurial side close to their best after being banned for an incident during the fractious encounter in Sheffield the night before (see below).
So it was director of hockey Jon Kynaston calling the shots and in the end he didn't do a half-bad job.
Kynaston said: "I think there was a real sense of togetherness out there and really we should have won the game."
"I think at some stages during the season the team has lacked that for one reason or another but we saw it here.
"The guys never stopped giving it everything and it was great that the fans got behind them the way there did.
"There were some excellent individual performances - Joe Miller in paricular - but the whole team stood up to be counted and it just a shame they didn't get both points as they deserved.
"But it has been a good weekend for us and it looks like the team is starting to peak at just the right time with the play-offs round the corner."
Despite Flames' excellent recent form it was the home side who started the stronger with James Ferrara seeing his shot pushed over by visiting netminder Dean Skinns inside the first minute.
Skinns could do nothing about Miller's opener though with the Welshman scooting round Rick Skene before firing with power into his top right corner.
Flames soon began to find their range however and home nettie Stephen Wall stood on his head to keep out efforts from Rempel and Lukas Smital before Miller doubled the advantage.
Maris Ziedins picked out his line-mate from a face-off deep in enemy territory and 'Jumpin Joe' made no mistake to smash the puck home and put his team in the box seat.
Guildford were not slow getting off the mark themselves thanks to Martin Massa's drive but it was Phantoms who should have added to their advantage after a number of power play situations came their way.
But despite their efforts, as the middle act opened Phantoms still held a slender one-goal lead which was soon wiped out when Smital ghosted in with Flames' second of the night.
And when former Milton Keynes Lightning hitman Gary Clarke found himself in space 10 yards out, Flames were able to take the lead for the first time.
Rather than crumble, however, the home side renewed their efforts and before the period was out had re-taken the lead through Ziedins and Miller's hat-trick goal.
Early in the final act Phantoms extended their lead when Brent Gough worked his way across the crease before firing home but Masa's second put the Flames back in touch as the game surged from end to end.
Then with less than 10 minutes remaining Masa completed his own hat-trick with an unerring finish after Smital's pass sent him through one-on-one with Wall.
Stunned by the goal Phantoms then threw the kitchen sink - and Miller - at their guests in an effort to re-take the lead.
And so it was that Miller appeared to have won the game after intercepting a Flames breakout and firing past Skinns to make it 6-5 and send the Bretton fans into hysterics.
Sadly for Phantoms - and much to the frustration of Wall, who had been in impeccable form - Rob Lamey's rather lame shot somehow found its way past the Geordie with less than two minutes to play.
And despite forcing the issue in overtime, it was Guidford, and in particular Rempel, who had the last word.
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Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
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