Peterborough Phantoms chief expects to see a clearer picture of the National Division title race very soon

Phantoms Ryan Bainborough and Scott Robson combine to thwart London Raider's Lukas Sladkovsky in last Sunday's match.

The city club’s nine-game winning streak – featuring seven league successes – has dragged them into contention for the inaugural crown in the sport’s new second tier.

Phantoms have closed to within eight points of out-of-form leaders Telford who have slumped to five successive defeats amid an injury crisis.

Koulikov’s men are only six points behind second-placed Swindon, who had also endured a sticky spell before completing a double over Basingstoke last weekend.

Phantoms boast a game in hand on the two sides above them and also meet both of them in the near future.

Swindon are the visitors to Planet Ice this Sunday (February 23, 5.30pm) before Phantoms head to Telford the following weekend, February 29.

Swindon and Telford also do battle this Saturday to kick off a series of crunch clashes as the title scrap hots up.

“My guys deserve a huge amount of credit for the run they’ve been on in such an unpredictable league,” said Koulikov.

“We have seen all season that any team can beat any other on pretty much any night, so to win nine games in a row is a brilliant effort.

“The title certainly isn’t our hands, but we’ve got into a position where we could possibly have a small chance.

“Of course we will need to keep winning games and hoping that the other teams slip up for that to happen.

“I think that two weeks down the line, we’ll know a lot more about where we stand.

“We have four very tough games ahead and there is also the fact that Swindon and Telford play each other too.”

First on the agenda for Phantoms is negotiating a tough trip to another in-form team tomorrow (February 22).

They head to iceSheffield (7.30pm) to face a Sheffield Steeldogs side who have reeled off five consecutive victories.

But Koulikov again hopes to be able to call on a full complement of players after having every member of his roster available for the first time all season last Sunday.

Koulikov added: “It shows how many injuries we have had during this season that the first time I’ve had a full roster is on February 16.

“I’ve had a lot of headaches due to guys missing and now I’ve got a much better problemwhere I have to work out how I can give all of them the ice-time they need and deserve.

“It’s a good position to be in for the end of the regular season, the cup final and the play-offs and hopefully we can keep everyone fit and healthy.”

UPCOMING FIXTURES

(Games involving top three)

February 22: Swindon v Telford, Sheffield v Phantoms.

February 23: Hull v Telford, Phantoms v Swindon.

February 29: Telford v Phantoms, Swindon v Milton Keynes.

March 1: Sheffield v Telford, Bracknell v Phantoms.

March 6: Baingstoke v Swindon, Phantoms v Telford (NIHL National Cup final, first leg).

March 7: Swindon v Basingstoke, Phantoms v Hull, Telford v Sheffield.

March 8: Raiders v Phantoms, Leeds v Telford.

March 11: Telford v Phantoms (NIHL National Cup final, second leg).