Match Report by Ian Dibley

Peterborough Phantoms vs Oxford Rising Stars

19th October 2024

Oxford made the trip without some of their more experienced players, but it was the penalty box, and their inability to find shots on the net, that sealed their fate.

The home side were in the lead within 3 minutes when the prolific Nathan Pollard opened his account after good work from Jordan Ho and Nick Martin. This was on the powerplay as Stars Ashlee Cave sat an interference penalty. The visitors settled into the game, without really consistently threatening Vincent Graziano in the home goal. Following another penalty on the Stars, Daniel Martin doubled the home sides advantage. With just under three minutes left in the opening period, the home sides, Jayden Eggleston took a penalty for slashing to which Stars Harry Harrison reacted and both took penalties for roughing. Nathan Williams also taking an additional penalty for the hosts. This gave the Stars a powerplay advantage but they were unable to capitalise as Oxfords Chris Beckett quickly took a two-minute penalty to level the numbers of players on the ice as the period fizzled out.

At the start of the 2nd period the Phantoms hit the ice running as first Nathan Pollard and then Connor Pollard doubled the home sides advantage. This 4th goal was on the powerplay, just on the cusp of Becketts return to the game. Stars then played their best hockey of the game as Griff Eden-Parish finished a move involving Harrison and Beckett. Stars reduced the deficit to two when Josh Oliver netted with the assists going to Caden Hughes and Jacob Smith. Leo Markey then tangled with Stars defenceman Calum Lynch, with both taking penalties as the period ended.

The 3rd period, once again, saw the visitors limited attacking chances producing no reward, as they were outshot approximately 2:1. It was no surprise when the impressive Ho added the home sides 5th, this time assisted by the Pollard twins. It was left to Conor Pollard to net his 2nd with about 90 seconds to go.

Final score: 6-2 to the hosts.

Photo Credit: Rob Walker Photography