Ice hockey underdogs delighted at play-off win

Peterborough Phantoms were crowned play-off champions on Sunday

Ice hockey players who were crowned National League play-off winners have spoken of their delight at being crowned champions.

Peterborough Phantoms claimed a 4-3 penalty shot victory over the Leeds Knights in Coventry on Sunday.

Phantoms captain Will Weldon lifted the trophy on his final appearance for the club before his retirement.

"We are a mid-table budget team, but when it comes to games like this… we back ourselves against anyone," he said.

The Phantoms finished the regular season in fifth place and earned victory in dramatic fashion at the weekend after the match remained level at full-time.

Weldon said: "Nobody thought we got a chance but when you have a coach like Slava Koulikov - you can’t write us off.

"Fans have been great. They have been unreal all season."

Bob Hillier, BBC’s ice hockey correspondent who was at the game, said it was “an incredible victory and atmosphere".

"The team had so many injuries, some suspensions, lost some key players," he said.

"The coach is just exceptional. He trusted the players and they trusted him. It was executed perfectly in the end.

"There were people in the crowds crying with joy."

Luke Ferrara who scored the winning penalty shot, told Mr Hillier "it was an incredible feeling".

"It’s emotional, especially as we battled so much this season but we pulled through as a team. What a feeling right now."

Fans overjoyed

Paul Young said the win was a "shock" for the fans

Paul Young, 64, has been a Phantoms fan for 41 seasons.

He said it was an "unbelievable victory" and hoped the team got "more recognition and investment it deserves".

Another fan, Kelly Ellis, 44, said her heartbeat "went through the roof".

Ms Ellis’ Stamford-based company DME Roofing is one of the sponsors for the Peterborough Phantoms.

She said more people should back the team.

"We were there as a family to support Phantoms. It was intense. I don't have any finger nails. My watch asked me to calm down, but it was such a wonderful moment.

"Leeds have the money to train every day and the facilities, but Peterborough doesn’t have that kind of backing and it would be great to have that.

"I really hope more people get behind it."