Raiders got off to the best start as a pair of fiercly fought “friendly” encounters with the Peterborough Phantoms saw two results and one score line with 3-2 favouring the Gold and Blue home and away.
Saturday’s home game in the Sapphire saw Raiders up to speed immediately causing problems for the Phantoms and with new players and line combinations working very well. The first break came with a 0-2 score line with the visitors scoring twice during rare visits to the cafe end of the Sapphire.
The period break team talk, watched by a swollen lipped recovering Zach Milton, clearly did the trick and Raiders goals from Connolly, Sylvester and Laishram wrapped up the game with no further scoring in the third period.
The return leg in the traditionally chilly Peterborough rink saw new Import Nick Leyer make his mark with a goal in each period with Peterborough adding a respectability marker in the dying minutes. The main talking point was a multi-player fracas at the end of the second period with multiple game penalties and misconducts as frayed tempers spilled over as the teams attempted to skate to their respective locker rooms.
With Raiders improving on last seasons split results with Peterborough they now aim to use that momentum moving into this weekend’s Everyone Active Shield games and retain the trophy and spend another few pounds at the Timpson’s engraving counter.
Tickets for the home game on Sunday 17th can be bought by clicking the link below.
