Leeds Knights were victorious for the fifth time in their last six outings in the National Ice Hockey League – as they earned a 5-4 triumph over Peterborough Phantoms thanks to penalties.
The vast majority of the goals were scored in what was an exhilarating second period before Knights’ goalkeeper Sam Gospel was the hero in the eventual shootout at Elland Road.
This was their third-consecutive triumph and their second win in five attempts against the Phantoms in this campaign.
It was the visitors who struck first when they got in behind the opposition defence and slotted the puck past the goalkeeper.
The Knights had a great opportunity to equalise when Kieran Brown went through but he narrowly missed the target.
However, the hosts did draw level when Cole Shurda’s attempt found a way past Jordan Marr in the Phantoms’ goal.
The score-line remained 1-1 at the end of the first period.
The visitors made a flying start to the second period and raced into a three-goal lead in stunning fashion.
The hosts pulled one back when their talisman Kieran Brown struck home his 50th of the year.
Just 33 seconds later, the West Yorkshire-based outfit got another one back when Jordan Fisher made no mistake in slotting the puck into the net.
Moments later, the Knights amazingly completed the comeback in just a little over a minute and got their leveller when Kieran Brown picked out Adam Barnes who rifled the puck home to ensure the scores were tied at the end of the second period.
Despite both teams having opportunities, there were no further goals in the third and final period meaning a penalty shootout was required to decide the encounter.
It was the Knights who came out on top in the shootout when Sam Gospel saved Glenn Billing’s penalty – meaning the hosts ended up winning the encounter 5-4.
The Knights will be hoping to pick up another win tomorrow evening when they host Basingstoke in the NIHL.