Phantoms' "Cheap Hits" Leave Wildcats Sweating Over Finucci

Swindon Wildcats' Canadian import Carlo Finucci had to be assisted off the ice during the first period on Sunday evening, as his side defeated Peterborough Phantoms on their own ice.

A goal to the good and defending resolutely, Wildcats were keeping Phantoms at bay and frustrating their hosts with each denial.

As forward Carlo Finucci picked up the puck with neat control and made a bursting run down the centre of the ice, his Phantoms counterpart Marc Levers soon saw an opening with which to make his mark.

Placing his body between Finucci and the puck, Levers made himself an immovable object and sent the Canadian clattering down to the hard ice.

Finucci's landing was unforgiving, and discomfort spread across the face of the Wildcats forward almost immediately. 

As players from both sides clashed in the aftermath, Finucci was assisted from the ice clutching his knee, and would not return to feature again during the tie.

Speaking following the final buzzer, Wildcats' head coach Aaron Nell condemned the tactics of the Phantoms, and explained it would be a waiting game to ascertain the extent of Finucci's injuries.

"It was a bit of a cheap hit (on Finucci), but we’ll get him a scan early next week and see how he is."

"It was tough losing him at that point (in the first period) but Floyd Taylor came in and he had his best game for us," Nell added.

All-action utility man Matt Selby also echoed Nell's sentiments following the match, highlighting the importance of Wildcats protecting their key men.

"We have to look after our imports, those guys are very important to our team, they make a huge difference for us," said Selby.

"But we're not a one-man team and we did pull together (after Finucci's departure) and the boys will step up when needed," Selby added.

Early fears of Finucci having sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage are yet to be confirmed. More updates on Total Sport to follow.