There was never any doubt either before or during this game against basement side Cardiff Fire that Phantoms would win, it was just a case of how they would go about doing so. Coach Koulikov decided to draft in youngsters Bradley Bowering on D and Jarvis Hunt up front in order to roll four lines throughout and it was the two youngsters who caught the eye in a relatively routine victory.
A 19 shots on goal onslaught in the opening period saw Phantoms three up at the first break with goals from Robson, Salem and Jamieson, a lead that rendered Euan King largely unemployed and more than ready to trade places with Jack Peacock just before the game’s midpoint.
The middle period saw a further 15 shots on Jordan Lawday but the impressive youngster, just back from a couple of seasons in North America, was a match for all of them with the exception of an explosive break out and finish from Darius Pliskauskas that ended the middle period at 4-0.
A big deflection off a skate left Jack Peacock wrong footed early in the third for 4-1 and the same scorer, Jordan Powell, bundled home a second from a close range scramble on 47.30 to give Phantoms a quick reminder that the game wasn’t quite over yet. The reminder was heeded as Phantoms upped a gear to pin back Fire for the remainder of the game and two sharp one-time finishes from Billing and Jamieson left Phantoms home and dry at 6-2.
Bradley Bowering picked up the Phantoms MOM after a very composed and assured performance on the Phantoms blue-line. Bradley looked completely at home with his regular shifts and both his decision making and passing suggests a very talented player in the making. Special mention also to Jarvis Hunt who showed great energy not to mention some impressive skating and fast hands to cause many a problem for the Fire D.
A quick shout for the Fire who were noticeably improved on the team who were trounced on their last visit to Bretton. They are evidently more battle hardened and with strong netminding now on board, the addition of two “go to” forwards would undoubtedly see them picking up points.
Game stats HERE