Hull Pirates cast adrift after double EPL setback

Guildford bear down on the Hull Pirates. Picture: Arthur Foster.

IT was another weekend of disappointment for Hull Pirates, as they slipped to two defeats in the English Premier League.

A 4-3 defeat on home ice against Guildford Flames was followed by a 4-0 reverse on the road at league leaders Peterborough Phantoms.

Two first-period strikes from Lloyd Gibson put the hosts in control on Sunday night and, once a thuird was added early in the second by Greg Pick, there was no way back for Dominic Osman’s team.

A powerplay strike from Darius Pliskauskas at 38.10 completed the scoring.

Hull celebrate scoring against Guildford, but they ended up on the wrong side of a 4-3 defeat to Guildford. Picture: Arhur Foster.

The results leave Hull firmly rooted to the bottom in their debut season, 13 points off eighth-place Manchester Phoneix who occupy the final play-off spot.

Next weekend sees Osman his team to third-placed Milton Keynes Lightning, before returning home to host Telford Tigers.

On Saturday, Hull were left reeling after giving up a two-goal lead and being undone by a late Flames goal.

Two first-period strikes from Tommi Laine - the second a short-handed effort - put Dominic Osman’s team in the driving seat but, by the end of the second, strikes from Jez Lundin (2) and Erik Piatak had put the visitors ahead.

Hull rallied and levelled at 49.25 on the powerplay through Pasi Salonen.

Outshot 30-22 overall, Hull looked as if they might earn a much-needed point but, at 56.49, Jens Eriksson got what proved to be the game-winning goal.

In the first leg of the annual War of the Roses clash, Sheffield Steeldogs edged out rivals Manchester Phoenix 5-4 at Deesside.

Tim Smith was the Sheffield hero, forcing home the puck at 58.10 after a goalmouth scramble to cap a fine comeback from the visitors who were 4-1 down going into the third.

Robin Kovar had put the home side in the lead with a penalty shot goal at 4.43.

Steeldogs equalised in the second period through Andy Hirst’s powerplay strike at 27.30, only for Phoenix to grab two powerplay goals of their own through Kovar at 27.54 and, 72 seconds later through James Archer.

Phoenix extended their lead when Archer scored his second on the rebound following a Nico Aaltonen effort at 34.37.

Sheffield got back into the game through goals from Cole Shudra at 44.09 followed by Arnoldas Bosas just over two minutes later.

The 25-year-old Lithuanian then levelled the game at 56.54 before Smith popped up to clinch a thrilling win.

The return leg will be at Ice Sheffield on Monday, December 28.