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Manchester Phoenix 3 - Peterborough Phantoms 2

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Manchester Phoenix scorers: Stephen Wallace, Juraj Faith and James Archer

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix completed their regular season fixtures with a home game against Peterborough Phantoms. Phoenix, looking for a point to secure second place in the league, were without Ladislav Harabin. This means the team has gone the complete league season without being able to ice their full squad. Phantoms were looking for a point to secure a play off place.

Phoenix started well and took the lead on 4.36 with a simply worked and well executed goal. Jaroslav Spelda found Tom Duggan on the right and his pin point pass fell directly to Stephen Wallace who swept the puck home for 1-0. Phantoms pressed for an equaliser and Stephen Fone had to be alert, making two or three first class saves, to ensure the period ended with Phoenix winning 1-0.

Phantoms seemed to realise they needed something from the game and were the better side in the early stages of the second period but it was Phoenix who scored on 38.22 with a power play goal. There was a bit of discussion after the goal as the Phantoms’ goalie was convinced the puck had not crossed the line. After much discussion, referee Brown gave the goal. Comedy moment of the night happened shortly afterwards when Damian King, the Phantoms netminder, went to the goal judge and cleaned the plexi in front of him. No more action in the period and Phoenix went to the second break with a two goal lead.

Phantoms threatened early in the third period and found themselves back in the game on 45.32 as Andrej Lauko was first to react to a loose puck, sending it past Stephen Fone for 2-1. Phoenix hardly had time to regroup when they found themselves level on the night. Luke Ferrara got the goal on 46.07 that sent the Phantoms’ bench wild with delight. The period got scrappy after this as Phantoms started dreaming of another two games next week. However, James Archer broke their hearts on 57.47 with a neat finish from the front of the goal, assisted by Tom Duggan and Ciaran Long. Phoenix held out for the win and a confirmed runner-up spot in the league. Phantoms had to wait for 30 minutes before the result from Bracknell confirmed their place in next weekend’s quarter finals.

Man of the match for Phoenix went to Luke Boothroyd and Andrej Lauko took the honour for Peterborough.

Phoenix now move on to the quarter finals with home and away games against Swindon Wildcats next weekend. Keep an eye on the website for confirmation of our home fixture.