Once again, it was late penalties that cost Phantoms dear in their table-topping clash in Swindon tonight with the Wildcats running out 3-2 winners.
In an end to end opening period, it was a high-sticks penalty on Glenn Billing that broke the deadlock when Sam Jones fired home on the resulting powerplay to put the home side ahead but it was then Billing who turned from villain to hero with a game-tieing goal with just 2:15 left on the period, assisted by James Ferrara and Scott Robson.
Period two was a much tighter affair with Cats outshooting Phantoms 11-8 but with neither side able to light the lamp, leaving it all to a final high-stakes twenty.
Phantoms started with a great opportunity when Steve Whitfield sat out an early tripping penalty but Corey McEwen’s effort, saved by Renny Marr, was the closest Phantoms came. As the game moved into the final ten minutes, both sides went for the winner in an end-to-end battle and it was player-coach Aaron Nell who grabbed the big goal at 53:10 but the home side went immediately onto the back foot when Chris Jones was called for slashing just 37 seconds after the restart. Phantoms needed a big powerplay but couldn’t find a way past Renny Marr …… until the final second of the extra man advantage when captain James Ferrara pounced to tie the game at 2-2.
This time it was Phantoms who lost a man straight after the restart when Rob Ferrara was called for tripping with 3:53 left. The powerplay was killed but the return to five men proved a calamity as Phantoms were caught with six skaters on the ice and returned to 4on5 with just 1:48 left.
Phantoms called the time-out to clear their heads but the damage was done and, with just 28 seconds left on the clock, Chris Jones powered home to grab the win for the Wildcats !
Phantoms now need to prepare for another key battle at Bretton on Sunday evening when they face another major rival in Basingstoke Bison …… a game that now carries added importance !
Game Stats HERE