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Women's National Ice Hockey League 2, South Division
Date: 10/02/24
Time: 18:30
Venue: Planet Ice Peterborough
(Player of the match Emily Lock)
Introduction:
A thrilling showdown unfolded at Planet Ice Peterborough where the Peterborough Phantoms faced off against the Coventry Phoenix. The Phantoms, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and pace, put forth a commanding presence that the Phoenix struggled to counter.
Period 1:
The Phantoms opened the game with fervour, setting a pace that the Phoenix struggled to contend with. The first goal was a spectacle of precision and luck as Hana Meszarosova (#15 sponsored by Box7), with an assist from the promising newcomer Hannah Danks (#53), struck the puck, hitting the top and side posts before finding the net, electrifying the home crowd. This was only Danks’ (#53) second game of the season but it already feels like she has been part of the team for a while. She has meshed in well and has proven to be a strong asset to the team with her defensive skills and strong hockey IQ. This period was hard-hitting with a lot of physical play, but the Phantoms did not retaliate and instead, responded by continuing to outskate the opposition. Coventry player Blower (#17) was finally called when the ref caught her holding a Phantoms player’s stick, resulting in 2 minutes in the box at 9:32.
The game saw the return of Peterborough Ice Hockley legend, Jenna Clarke (#54) who returned after a long-term injury, keeping her away from the game for over 18 months. Despite her time away from the ice, Clarke (#54) proved that her skill and hockey knowledge was still just as strong as she scored the Phantom’s second goal at 18:40 after it was beautifully assisted by Assistant Captain Laura Brooks (#19) who provided a strong pass from the corner, allowing Clarke (#54) to finish the task and put it in the back of the net with a powerful ‘one timer’ shot. It only took a few minutes for Clarke (#54) to find her feet on the ice which isn’t surprising, given she has been playing since she was 12 and has had hockey be a big part of her life growing up as she was both a player of the sport and a support, cheering on her brother, David Clarke who played professional Elite League ice hockey for the Nottingham Panthers and represented GB on many occasions. The Phantoms are pleased to welcome Clarke (#54) back onto the ice.
(Phantoms Jenna Clarke celebrating her first Phantoms goal of the season)
Period 2:
The second period saw former Peterborough player, Farestvedt (#79), now with Coventry, score a goal at 28:20, assisted by Gallon (#50). The Phantoms battled hard to keep Coventry from progressing their score line. Notably, strong defensive play from Assistant Captain Stacie Horn (#13 sponsored by BudsFitness & Hercules ) and Emma McCarthy (#7) shut down Coventry’s offensive play as they successfully poke checked the puck away, protecting goalie Katie Plumb (#98 sponsored by Ask2Build) from taking on additional shots. Brooks (#19) continued to contribute to the winning scoreline with her non-stop backchecking, chasing down any player who attempted to approach the Phantoms defensive zone. The Phantoms continued to battle until the very end of the second period, which saw Jo Saville (#4) wind up and take an impressive slapshot against Coventry, only to be narrowly saved by the goalie.
Period 3:
The Phantoms started the third period ready to fight to keep their 2-1 lead. They had plenty of close calls with many players putting the puck on target. Particularly, defensive payer Emily Lock (#2) showcased her confidence and skill as she skated coast-to-coast with the puck multiple times, beating the Coventry defence and taking a powerhouse shot on net, only to be saved by the cross bar. The Phantoms continued to dominate as Lock (#2) and Rees (#40) worked seamlessly together, moving the puck up the ice and creating multiple opportunities for additional shots on target. It was Clarke (#54) who was able to find the back of the net for her second goal of the night at 52:33 after receiving another impressive pass from Brooks (#19) who battled hard in the offensive corners taking the score to 3-1. The Phantoms were close to securing a 4th goal, which was initially rewarded by the referee after the Coventry goalie pushed the puck into the net with her skate. However, following a protest from the Coventry bench, the goal was called off and the score remained 3-1.
Conclusion: The match concluded with a hard-fought 3-1 victory for the Phantoms. Despite a valiant effort from Coventry, the Phantoms demonstrated their capability to seize control of the game. The Phantoms’ players displayed excellent synergy, with notable performances across the board, particularly from Clarke (#54) and Brooks (#19), who’s on-ice rapport was undeniable.
(Phantoms celebrating their third goal)
Final score
Peterborough Phantoms: 3
Coventry Phoenix: 1
Shots on Net:
Peterborough: 40
Coventry: 21
Player of the Game: Emily Lock (#2)
Looking ahead: The Phantoms, invigorated by their win, look forward to carrying this momentum into their upcoming fixture. Their next game is the return of the Cambridgeshire Derby, where they will host the Cambridge Kodiaks on Saturday 9th March 2024 at 6:30pm.
Acknowledgements: A special shoutout to our sponsors (Ask2Build, Box7 and BudsFitness) and roaring fans whose support continues to boost up the Phantoms Women.
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