PETERBOROUGH, UK – Peterborough Phantoms sealed their third trophy of the season as they added the Britton Conference Play-Offs title with a 13-8 aggregate win over Bracknell Bees.
Billing and Ferrara celebrate (Kev Slyfield)
The Phantoms took command in the first leg at the Hive with a crucial 7-4 victory on the road. Despite being outshot by the Bees, Slava Koulikov’s men lit the lamp more, with a brace from league top scorer Ales Padelek plus lone goals from Nathan Pollard, James Ferrara, Petr Stepanek, Glenn Billing and Martins Susters completing the scoring.
The Bees goals came via a brace from Roman Malinik and efforts from Josh Martin and Stuart Mogg. After the game, long-time Bee Scott Spearing departed under a guard of honour suggesting it was to be his last game for the team on home ice.
In the second leg at Bretton Way, first period goals from Susters killed off any hopes of a comeback and the Phantoms skated off with a 6-4 win on the night. Susters bagged two more goals by the end, to add to efforts from Corey McEwan and Tom Norton. For the Bees it was Josh Smith with a brace and one each for all-star Ed Knaggs and Tyler VanKleef.
The Phantoms may be heading to Ikea tomorrow to get a bigger trophy cabinet, as the South Play-Offs title now nestles alongside the Autumn Cup and NIHL Cup, with the National Play-Offs trophy still up for grabs.
The result means that Bracknell will now face Northern Champions Hull Pirates in the first semi-final at Coventry next weekend, followed by Peterborough versus Sheffield Steeldogs.
Tickets for the end of season showpiece are now on sale. You can buy them HERE
Britton Conference Play-Offs Champions – Peterborough Phantoms
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