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Phoenix douse the Flames

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Manchester Phoenix 4 - Guildford Flames 1

PHOENIX SCORERS: Ben Wood, Ladislav Harabin, Juraj Faith and Slava Koulikov

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix took on league leaders Guildford Flames in a top of the table English Premier League game.

Phoenix were missing Tony Hand and Guildford Flames were without ex Phoenix favourite Curtis Huppe and the suspended Andrew Sharp.

The first five minutes saw end to end hockey as both teams tried to figure out the other’s game plan. Phoenix were the first to show attacking promise and hit the pipes after 9 minutes. However, they were not to be denied 49 seconds later as Ben Wood took full advantage of a defensive mix up to hit the puck past Mark Lee. Less than 60 seconds later, Stephen Fone made an outstanding save to preserve the Phoenix lead as Nathan Rempel broke clear down the middle but was unable to beat the Phoenix back stop. Phoenix doubled the lead with just over three minutes left in the period as the special teams line hit a power play goal. Matt Towe was nearing the end of a two minute minor for hooking when Ladzi Harabin accepted a pass across the blue line from Jaro Spelda to smash an unstoppable shot from the point past Mark Lee. Phoenix controlled the final three minutes to go to the first break 2-0 up.

As expected, Guildford upped the ante in the second period and peppered the Phoenix goal with shots throughout the period. An interference call on James Archer and a delay of game for Ladzi Harabin kept the Phoenix penalty kill lines out on the ice for nearly four minutes. The defence held firm and the second period ended without a goal even though the home side were outshot 21-9.

Stephen Fone had an exceptional period, facing a lot of rubber but keeping the biscuit out of the net under severe pressure.

The hearts of the large travelling band of Flames’ fans were broken just 25 seconds into the third period as Phoenix made it 3-0. A neat break out of defence saw Slava Koulikov find the rushing Juraj Faith who sweetly swept the puck past the goalie to bring the roof down. The first line came good again on 43.03 as Martin Cingel found Slava Koulikov who beat Mark Lee to put the home side 4-0 up. Guildford never gave up and their efforts were rewarded with a consolation goal on 56.08 when David Savage scored, assisted by Stuart Potts and Andrew Hemmings. Guildford outshot Phoenix once again but it was the latter’s clinical finishing that earned the points and a ninth successive win to close the gap to 2 points at the top of the table.

Man of the match for Phoenix went to Stephen Fone for an outstanding 39 saves from 40 shots.