Both teams came into this game with high spirits after what both teams deemed a successful opening weekend.
The first twenty began with the Steeldogs scoring the opening goal of the game through Tim Smith at 8:17. After a controversial penalty call on a goal, Phantoms managed to get their first goal on the board with the goal coming from Corey McEwen at 16:35. Less than a minute later Peterborough would get their second of the night this time Dillon Lawrence lit the lamp. Phantoms led 2-1 after the first twenty.
The second period was a fast-paced period with both teams showing 100% effort throughout. Both teams would add goals to the scoreboard. The first goal of the second period came from the Steeldogs with Canadian CJ Garcia getting the game tied at 27:20. Seconds later the Phantoms went down the ice and put their third into the Steeldogs goal. Dillon Lawrence adding his second of the night. Ralfs Circenis received a 2+2 for high-sticks which meant the Steeldogs had a 4 minute powerplay. Corey McEwen managed to break past the Steeldogs defence and place the puck past Alex Oldale. That didn’t damage the confidence in the Steeldogs team as they answered straight back on the powerplay with Walker Sommer getting his first goal of the 2025/2026 campaign. Phantoms led the Steeldogs 4-3 after fourty-minutes.
Period three was a period which was dominated mostly by the Steeldogs. Only 16 seconds into the third period Walker Sommer lit the lamp again for his second of the night and to tie the game at 4-4. The next big moment of the game would come at 55:14 with Bair Gendunov netting the Steeldogs’ fifth of the evening giving the Steeldogs their first lead of the night. At 57:44 Ashley Tait called a timeout to regroup his Phantoms. A decision that proved to be helpful for the Phantoms as they tied the game through Brad Bowering at 58:34. That would seal the game after 60 minutes.
Into overtime we went. Steeldogs had a powerplay which carried over into the overtime period, sadly the Steeldogs were unable to get the game-winning goal. Nothing would come in the overtime period. It all came down to the penalty shootout.
Phantoms stepped up first with Cam Hough who calmy placed tbe puck past Oldale to make it 1-0 in the shootout. Up stepped Joonas Larinmaa for the Steeldogs who slowly made his way down the ice but Lavigne managed to keep his shot out with a pad save. Luke Ferrara would be next for the Phantoms which Oldale kept out. Gendunov skated out next. Quick puck control from Bair but Lavigne continued to stand tall for Peterborough. Janne Laakkonen took the final penalty stepping up in a big moment he scored the winner shooting the puck past Alex to seal two points for the Phantoms.
Final score – Steeldogs 5-6 Phantoms (APS)
You can catch the Steeldogs back at home on Sunday as we welcome the Swindon Wildcats for our second home game of the weekend! Head over to the Steeldogs Hub now and secure your tickets.