Phantoms Women finish 2023 top of the table with a win against Oxford!

Women's National Ice Hockey League 2, South Division

Date: 10 December 2023

Location: Planet Ice Peterborough

Time: 18:30

Player of the game Essie Laugharne)

Introduction:

In a dominant display that solidified their position at the top of the league, the Peterborough Phantoms closed out the year with a resounding victory against the Oxford Midnight Stars. As the rink buzzed with anticipation, the Phantoms prepared to enter the Christmas break as league leaders.

First Period:

From the initial face-off, the Phantoms unleashed a relentless assault on goal, swiftly racking up a 3-0 lead. Aimee Neaverson (#66; BudsFitness & Box7) set the pace with an early goal, scoring only seconds (00:07) into the game. This was swiftly followed by Georgia Whittemore (#33), assisted by Ruby Allen (#9) at 12:32. The scoring continued with Hana Mészárošová (#15; Box7) finding theback of the net at 17:51, unassisted. The period also saw Oxford Player, Charmaine Coles (#44) receive a 2-minute penalty for checking at 7:55, adding a layer of intensity to the already heated contest.

(Phantoms Georgia Whittlemore celebrating her goal)

Second Period:

While the second period saw no goals, the intensity didn't falter as the period saw plenty of penalty minutes. Oxford Oenone Dodwell (#5) picked up 2-minutes for tripping at 23:07. Tensions boiled over towards the end of the period, leading to an altercation between Oxford’s Coles (#44) and Phantom’s Allen (#9). This resulted in Coles (#44) receiving a 2-minute penalty for roughing and Allen (#9) receiving a 5-minute penalty for charging, just after the buzzer signified the end of the second period (40:00).

(Forward Caitlin Barraclough keeping the intensity high)

Third Period:

The Phantoms' offence roared back to life with Kodie Duguid (#5) netting a goal at 47:21, assisted by Allen (#9) and Whittemore (#33). Once again, Oxford player Coles (#44) found herself in the penalty box, with another 2-minute penalty for roughing at 51:48. Neaverson (#66) continued her scoring streak with another goal at 52:55, assisted by Mészárošová (#15) during the resulting powerplay. Duguid (#5) scored her second goal of the game at 54.28, assisted by Whittemore (#33), taking the Phantoms to a 6-0 lead with only a few minutes left in the game. With only 0.7 seconds left on the clock, Neaverson (#66) scored her third goal and completed her hat trick, with another assist from Mészárošová(#15). The Oxford Midnight Stars, despite a valiant effort, were unable to counter the Phantoms' formidable presence.

(Aimee Neverson celebrating her hatrick goal)

Player of the Game:

Defensive powerhouse Essie Laugharne (#94) was named Player of the Game, recognised for her unwavering hard work and determination that played a pivotal role in maintaining the Phantoms' defensive stronghold.

Conclusion:

The game ended in a triumphant 7-0 shutout for the Phantoms. As the team takes a well-deserved break over the Christmas Holidays, they can enjoy their position at the top of the league.

Final Score:

Peterborough Phantoms: 7

Oxford Midnight Stars: 0

Shots on Goal:

Peterborough’s Katie Plumb (#98) faced 16 shots on goal.

Oxford’s Abigail Owen (#2) faced 54 shots on goal.

Looking Ahead:

As 2023 draws to a close, the Phantoms are ready to begin the new year with the highly anticipated Cambridgeshire Derby against the Cambridge Kodiaks on January 6th at 6:40 pm, in Cambridge. This fixture promises to be an electrifying start to 2024 as the Phantoms aim to continue their winning ways.

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks to our sponsors, Ask2Build, BudsFitness and Peterborough Phantoms Box7, for their continued support.

Furthermore thank you to our game day photographers Fiona Plumb, James Cudlipp and Stefan Malachowski.