Peterborough Phantoms confident they can pull off a terrific Cup Final turnaround

The city team travel to table-topping Telford (7.45pm) for the second leg of the final with a two-goal deficit to overcome.

Slava Koulikov’s men succumbed to a 6-4 defeat in the opening clash at Planet Ice last Friday (March 6) – an outcome their head coach felt was particularly unjust.

And the Phantoms chief is adamant his side can cause Telford plenty of problems if performing to a similar level again tonight.

“I watched the first leg over again on video and we were the better team – simple as that,” said Koulikov.

“We all know the sometimes in sport a team plays well and loses the game, and this was one of those cases.

“We had a few bad bounces and some tough calls from the officials go against us, but if we perform the way we did on Friday again then we have every chance in the second leg.

“We know it will be very tough to turn it around, but we must believe we can do it.

“It goes without saying that we need everyone to perform at their best in their individual roles.

“It’s really important that we don’t concede an early goal and can grow into the game.”

Phantoms have lost all five clashes with Telford this season. They were beaten by the Tigers in all four NIHL National Division meetings (although two of them went to penalty shots) before going down in the final first leg.

Phantoms could head into battle with a depleted defensive corps as Joe Hazeldine, Brad Bowering and Nathan Long are all carrying injuries.