Peterborough Phantoms pay tribute to the retiring Ferrara brothers as they finish the regular season in style

Captain James Ferrara and brother Robbie Ferrara graced Planet Ice for what looks set to be the final time when helping the city men to a 10-3 romp against Swindon.

And, if the second-tier season is halted as expected following a meeting of club bosses later today (March 16), it was certainly a fine way to bow out for the two homegrown and hometown heroes who have amassed more than 1200 appearances and won 11 trophies between them.

They, and head coach Slava Koulikov, were also quick to thank opponents Swindon for fulfilling the fixture on a night when only two of the scheduled five games went ahead. Telford were crowned champions by beating Raiders in the other completed clash.

Koulikov said: “The night was all about Jimmy and Robbie and ensuring they got the send-off they deserve.

“You could see from the guys on the ice and the fans in the rink how much they are both respected.

“They are both true warriors and wonderful ambassadors of Phantoms the sport of ice hockey.

“We will miss them hugely as players, as captains and as people and it’s great that they can go out with a four-point weekend.”

Skipper James announced ahead of the current campaign that he would be calling time on his distinguished career whereas younger brother, Robbie, only went public with his intention to hang up his skates late last week.

They helped Phantoms come from behind to roar to victory last night after Edgars Bebris and Tyler VanKleef gave Swindon the initiative in the opening period.

Glenn Billing halved the arrears in a five-on-three situation and it was then all Phantoms in the second session as Corey McEwen levelled before an Ales Padelek brace put them on top.

VanKleef hit back with a precise powerplay blast before Jarvis Hunt punished a defensive error to restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion after Wildcats netminder Renny Marr had gone off injured.

Back-up goalie Tyler Perre offered little resistance as it became one-way traffic in the closing period with five unanswered goals in the space of seven minutes carrying Phantoms into double-figures in a memorable finale.

Young prospect Ross Clarke’s strike was followed just 14 seconds later by a goodbye goal from James Ferrara.

Billing was then gifted his second and defenceman Joe Hazeldine got in on the act before McEwen was granted the freedom of Bretton to dart round the zone and slam home.

Phantoms spent the closing stages doing all they could to carve out a goal for retiring Robbie Ferrara, but he couldn’t light the lamp on his way out.

The double-figures destruction of second-placed Swindon completed a fine weekend after Phantoms triumphed 5-4 in Basingstoke the previous night.

Defenceman Scott Robson levelled little more than a minute after they fell behind to an Adam Harding goal in the opening period.

It was Phantoms’ turn to briefly lead in the second session when a Petr Stepanek powerplay effort was followed by a Bison equaliser from George Norcliffe.

Martins Susters struck short-handed to restore a lead which was extended by Robson’s second of the night in the final period.

Sam Smith hit back for Basingstoke before Glenn Billing finished smartly as Phantoms went on a five-minute powerplay following the ejection of Bison defenceman Jay King for slashing.

Import Michal Klejna cut the Basingstoke arrears in a short-handed situation, but Phantoms held on to pocket the points.

Phantoms will finish in third place if the inaugural NIHL National Division season is cut short.

SATURDAY MATCH DETAILS

Goals

BASINGSTOKE

16.02 Harding ass: Sampford/Norcliffe

25.39 Norcliffe ass: Harding

50.59 Smith ass: Tait/Dewey

55.29 Klejna (SHG) unassisted

PHANTOMS

17.13 Robson ass: O’Flaherty

24.06 Stepanek (PP) ass: Buglass/McEwen

32.32 Susters (SHG) unassisted

46.34 Robson ass: Billing

55.09 Billing (PP) ass: Padelek/J. Ferrara

SUNDAY MATCH DETAILS

Goals

PHANTOMS

19.04 Billing (PP) ass: J. Ferrrara/Norton

23.23 McEwen ass: Stepanek/N. Pollard

26.40 Padelek ass: J. Ferrara/Norton

29.10 Padelek ass: Billing/J. Ferrara

39.41 Hunt ass: O’Flaherty/Robson

42.37 Clarke ass: Hunt

42.51 J. Ferrara ass: Padelek/Billing

45.41 Billing unassisted

46.10 Hazeldine ass: Stepanek/McEwen

49.30 McEwen ass: Stepanek/N. Pollard

SWINDON

7.41 Bebris ass: F. Taylor/L. Taylor

12.22 VanKleef ass: Nethersell/Godfrey

32.24 VanKleef (PP) ass: Nell/L. Taylor

Men-of-the-match

PHANTOMS – James Ferrara/Robbie Ferrara

SWINDON – Edgars Bebris