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Skovira brace sinks Devils

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A third period double strike by Slovak sniper Miroslav Skovira earned Manchester Phoenix a valuable home win over the Cardiff Devils on Sunday night.

Having led through a superb George Awada strike in the 15th minute, Phoenix were rocked back on their heels in the second period as powerplay goals for the visitors by Dennis Maxwell and Jeff Ulmer gave the Welshman a forty minute lead. Head coach Rick Brebant read a mini riot act in the second interval and his team duly responded as Skovira blasted home on a 49th minute powerplay and less than two minutes later the Slovak snuck in at the back door to put the Phoenix back into the lead which they would not relinquish.

Brebant commented afterwards, “Once again we made some mistakes and got punished for them. Skovy scored two big goals for us, but a lot of credit has to go to Petteri Lotila on both goals as he got to the net and made a nuisance of himself in front of their goalie.”

Phoenix will look to build on Sunday’s win, their second of the season over the Devils, when they take on basement side London Racers on Tuesday at the Deeside Leisure Centre. Brebant noted, “London are yet to win this season but Tuesday will not be easy. Nobody wants to be their first victim and my guys will need to be on the top of their form as London will be playing desperation hockey as they seek that elusive first victory.”