Petr the great as Peterborough Phantoms win an 11-goal thriller
The city side triumphed 6-5 in Hull last night (October 7) to finish the group stage of the NIHL Autumn Cup on a high.
The victory, which followed a 2-1 success on penalties against the same opponents the previous night, lifted Slava Koulikov’s men into top spot in the standings.
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Hide AdAnd it will live long in the memory for big Czech frontman Stepanek who ignited his second spell with the city club thanks to a fine scoring spree.
Phantoms took command with three goals in little more than four minutes as Tom Norton’s powerplay opener – his second goal in as many games – was followed by two Stepanek strikes, but Phantoms then saw their lead wiped out.
Hull man Aaron Lyon took advantage of a powerplay to launch their fightback late in the opening session before Lee Bonner reduced the deficit further just 58 seconds into the middle period.
Former Phantoms forward Sam Towner then levelled but Stepanek responded by completing his hat-trick on a powerplay to restore a lead which lasted little more than 90 seconds as James Archer – another past Peterborough player – struck at the other end.
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Hide AdAnother Stepanek effort during a powerplay early in the third period was again cancelled out by Pirates player-coach Jason Hewitt, but the hosts couldn’t respond after Robbie Ferrara pounced on a delayed penalty late on.
Phantoms will now face fellow NIHL Division One South side Swindon in a two-legged semi-final. Hull meet Sheffield in the last-four clash in the north.
The focus shifts to a return to league action at the weekend. Phantoms head to Basingstoke on Saturday (October 13, 6.30pm) before hosting Streatham at Planet Ice on Sunday (October 14, 5.30pm).
MATCH DETAILS
Goals
HULL
18:07 Lyon (PP) ass: Chamberlain/Archer
20:58 Bonner ass: Davies/Chamberlain
28:12 Towner ass: Bonner/Archer
34:34 Archer ass: Bonner
45:49 Hewitt ass: Davies
PHANTOMS
10:53 Norton (PP) ass: Billing
13:54 Stepanek ass: Billing
14:58 Stepanek ass: Weldon
33:00 Stepanek ass: Robson
41:49 Stepanek ass: R. Ferrara
57:40 R. Ferrara (DP) unassisted
Men-of-the-match
HULL – Lee Bonner
PHANTOMS – Petr Stepanek