Slava eyeing up second trophy for Phantoms

Peterborough Phantoms coach Slava Koulikov says winning the NIHL South Cup would be a “huge achievement” as he prepares for tonight’s second leg.

The Phantoms hold a 2-1 led over Ashley Tait’s Basingstoke Bison when the tie moves to Peterborough and a chance to add to the Autumn Cup they won in December.

And Koulikov, talking to the Peterborough Telegraph, is prepared for the early threat Bison will possess as they attempt to get into the game early.

“We’re in a great position but we need everyone to give their all from the first puck-drop to the final buzzer,” he said.

“Basingstoke will lay it all on the line and we have to live with the intensity and work-rate they will bring into our building.

“And if we manage to do all of those things, hopefully we can enjoy the same outcome as we did against Sheffield.

“It would be a huge achievement to win two trophies in the same season and it was a great feeling to win the Autumn Cup back in December.

“Hopefully the fans will turn out as they did in that final and create the same sort of atmosphere they did that night.”

Phantoms will have D-man Nathan Long back after returning from Great Britain duty with at the World University Games, but forward Jack Escott is an injury doubt.

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