Mark Briggs receiving the Planet Ice sponsored MVP award
Game 8 of the Planet Ice sponsored British Sledge Hockey league season 2014 faced off at 2130hrs on 19th July 2014. This was the first game to be held at Ice Sheffield, home to newly formed Sheffield Steelkings, and temporary home of Hull-based Kingston Kestrels for the remainder of the season.
Kingston Kestrels played host to Peterborough Phantoms for what was going to be fast, furious and hard fought second meeting of the season between the two clubs with the result potentially influencing who will be crowned Champions come the end of the season.
The game started as expected with both teams out to take an early lead and it was Phantoms who came up with the goods after just 2 minutes 27 seconds with a goal from Matt Coleman assisted by Tyler Christopher. Despite best efforts from both teams the score remained 1-0 to Phantoms after the first period.
Kestrels came back out for the second period hoping to grab an equaliser and turn the game around. This wasn’t to be and Phantoms hit Kestrels on the break as Tyler Christopher made it 2-0 with an unassisted goal on 19 minutes 48 seconds. Frustrations started to set in from Kestrels knowing it was going to be difficult to come back from this score line. Kestrels changed Netminder, bringing Bryan Hackworth into play replacing Ian Houliston. The intensity and physicality of the game increased in this period and Matt Clarkson was unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty shot after being dubiously stopped on a breakaway by Gary Farmer. Matt Coleman then assisted Gary Farmer to make it 3-0 after 25 minutes 53 seconds. Tempers started to flare as Simon Berry and Callum Shakespeare almost went toe to toe in a scuffle. Despite having a huge task ahead of them Kestrels dug in, knowing that historically they have come back against Phantoms and scored more than three goals.
Both teams came back out fired up for the third period and despite the score line nobody was letting their foot off the gas. The teams battled hard, end to end as they both tried to score. Although this game was one of the most physical battles you’ll see in British sledge hockey, the only penalty of the game was picked up by Kestrels Captain Matt Clarkson who received 2 minutes for roughing after landing a right hook on Phantoms main threat Gary Farmer. Kestrels almost found themselves on the score sheet numerous times late on but Phantoms Netminder Rob Gaze remained solid. The final whistle blew which saw Phantoms celebrating knowing they have one hand on the league title.
Although Kestrels were frustrated by the game and result they were not too disheartened accepting they had been beaten by the better team on the day.
The Plant Ice sponsored MVP was awarded to Mark Briggs of Kingston Kestrels.
Both teams have games against Manchester Phoenix and Cardiff Devils remaining which will be played in August 2014. Kestrels will be hoping to pick up two from two and that Phantoms will slip up in at least one of their final two games.
Will Kestrels and Phantoms meet for a third epic battle on 30th August at the League Playoffs at Coventry Skydome? Keep a watching eye on @Sledgehockey, @KestrelsSledge and @PhantomsSledge on Twitter. Alternatively check out British Sledge Hockey, Kingston Kestrels Sledge Hockey Club and Peterborough Phantoms Sledge Hockey club pages on Facebook.
