Match Report – Wilkinson Playoff Grand Final | NIHL Steel City Showdown

The Peterborough Phantoms win their second trophy of the season after 10 rounds of penalty shots.

Both teams looked to add to their trophy collection as they went into their final game of the season.

 

PERIOD ONE (1-1)

The Phantoms found the back of the net first as Jack Sansby fired the puck above Luke Clark’s shoulder to give them the lead.

It was a back-and-forth period until the final minutes of the period where Sean Reynolds passed the puck to Liam Kennington who found the back of the net for the equaliser for the Phoenix.

 

PERIOD TWO (3-3)

The game remained close as both teams looked for the go-ahead goal going into the middle frame.

The Phantoms applied the pressure on a 5 on 3 powerplay however, it was the Phoenix who got themselves on the board next.

Sol Stoodley scored a breakaway goal as they came off the penalty kill. He quickly got his second goal of the afternoon to double their lead. 

AJ Herring answered back as he tapped a loose puck past Jake Stoodley to bring them within one. Assisted by Leo Markey. 

Sansby got his second of the game to make it equal going into the final period. 

 

PERIOD THREE (3-3)

It was a goalless period as both goalies made crucial saves to keep their teams in the game to force overtime. 

 

OVERTIME & PENALTY SHOTS (3-4)

It was an end-to-end start to overtime as both teams looked for opportunities to end the game.

Theo Sire had a chance to win it for the Phoenix as he was awarded a penalty shot, however, Luke Clark made the save to keep the game going.

Despite the Phoenix applying pressure at the end of overtime, they were unable to find the back of the net as the final buzzer sounded. 

After five rounds of penalty shots, it was one goal apiece, leading to a sudden-death shootout.

In the 10th round of the shootout, Taylor Romeo scored for Peterborough to win their second trophy of the season, the Wilkinson Cup.

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