In case you missed it see what’s in this section
We recommend
Let's Talk
Your Total Guide To sport
Buzzer report: Swindon Wildcats 2 Peterborough Phantoms 5
Total Sport's Ben Callaghan was rink side as Swindon Wildcats locked horns with Peterborough Phantoms for their penultimate game of the EPL season.
A return to fitness of Stevie Lyle was not enough to prevent the Swindon Wildcats falling to a 5-2 loss at home against the Peterborough Phantoms.
The Cats were still without defensive duo Matt Selby and Callum Buglass but were otherwise at full strength thanks to the return of Lyle. Peterborough needed to win to keep the slim chances of winning the EPL crown.
The game started at high tempo with the hosts having the better of the opening exchanges. Tomasz Malasinski broke through on goal and ripped a shot off the post which Janis Auzins wouldn’t have saved. It would be the visitors who opened the scoring at 12.29. Ales Padelek was able to pounce on a loose puck at the back door and fired high into the corner past Lyle.
As the period was dying down the Cats began to create more chances but Auzins was equal to them. Jonas Höög nearly found a way to sneak the puck into the net but the pads of Auzins were able to stop the puck going over the line.
Right at the end of the period Swindon managed to tie up the game. With Swindon on a powerplay, Tomasz Malasinski fed the puck across the goal only for the puck to deflect off a Phantoms stick and past Auzins. The assists on the goal were awarded to Jan Kostal and Aaron Nell, and the goal timed at 19.30.
The middle period would see the Wildcats outshoot the Phantoms 12-9 but they would also find themselves a goal down again after 40 minutes of the game. The Cats found themselves in a bit of penalty trouble when Harvey Stead went to the box for Tripping. James Ferrara and Scott Robson were able to link up for Milan Baranyk to fire home past a stranded Lyle.
The Cats would create more chances and Aaron Nell managed to hit the post twice in a 5 minute spell where the hosts were really in charge of the game. Although by the end of the period they hadn’t found another way past Auzins and they went into the second break 2-1 down.
The final period was a big one for Swindon and the Phantoms, especially with the title run on the line for the visitors. They started quickly and 2 goals in 22 seconds virtually killed any chances the Cats had of winning the game.
Firstly, Milan Baranyk scored his second of the night when he managed to tip a point shot from Greg Pick into the net. The next shift saw Lloyd Gibson pounce on a Lyle rebound to slide the puck home and give the Phantoms a 3 goal advantage.
At 48.51 Swindon did find a way to reduce the deficit when Jan Kostal fired in a big shot from the point towards the net. A great screen from Malasinski was enough to throw Auzins off guard the puck went flying into the top corner of the net. Swindon had a powerplay chance with 7 minutes to play but unfortunately this only worked in favour of the Phantoms who sealed the victory with a 5th goal.
Darius Pliskauskas broke up the play and fed Craig Scott who broke through on goal, with no D men near him he sped in, made the move and slid the puck through the legs of Lyle to ensure the points would be going back to Peterborough with the Phantoms.
The buzzer went shortly after and the Cats had lost their penultimate home game of the season 5-2. The twists and turns of the season continue.
Weather in Swindon
Listings