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Overtime loss for Phoenix at the dog pound

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Sheffield Steeldogs 2 - Manchester Phoenix 1 (in overtime)

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix took on bitter rivals Sheffield Steeldogs in an English Premier League match on Sunday.

Sheffield started the stronger in the first 5 minutes of the game and camped in the Phoenix zone. However it was the visitors who had their large following in raptures on 8.36. Stephen Fone had made a superb save just 30 seconds before Ben Wood broke out and was hooked back as he was about to shoot. After much deliberation, the referee awarded a penalty shot and it was up to the young forward to take the penalty. Ben crossed the half way line and let go a ripsnorter of a shot that flew over Ben Bowns’ shoulder and into the net before he could even set for the shot. An outstanding penalty shot and Mr Wood’s second penalty shot success of the season. The rest of the period was end to end with Phoenix just shading the honours but the score remained at 1-0.

The second period was all Phoenix as they peppered the Sheffield goal but Ben Bowns, arguably the best netminder in the league, was up to everything the Phoenix forwards threw at him. With just over 34 minutes gone, Bowns made an absolutely magnificent glove save to deny Phoenix doubling their lead and just two minutes later the scores were level as Ozolins scuffed the puck through traffic and into the net off his skate. End of the period 1-1.

The third period was a scrappy, niggly affair with the referee annoying both sets of players and fans with some strange non-calls and it was Sheffield who looked the stronger for most of the stanza. With both goalies on top form the score stayed at 1-1 and it was on to overtime.

Phoenix struggled to gain possession in extra time and with 1.54 on the clock, Greg Wood took the puck round the back of the net and found Ben Morgan free to hit the winning goal.

A disappointing result for Phoenix who could have made the points safe in the second period, however a three point weekend is not so bad considering the other results around the league this weekend.

Man of the Match for Phoenix was awarded to James Neil.