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Phoenix lose 3-2 in close War Of The Roses 1st leg

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Steeldogs were at full strength and Phoenix were missing Liam Chong and Tony Hand who had decided to coach from the bench.

In a feisty first period, Phoenix dominated the early exchanges and got the first shot on goal after just 11 seconds. Ex NHL defender Robert Schnabel introduced himself to the crowd with a crunch hit after 90 seconds. Predictably, it was Andre Payette who was the first to visit the penalty box with a 2 minute minor for interference on 3.15. Payette decided to try his luck with Robert Schnabel after 5.40 and after a bit of holding and grabbing, both players sat out 4 minutes of the game. Phoenix hit the pipes after 7.30 and then Fone had to be sharp to turn away a couple of shots from the Steeldogs’ Man of the Match Greg Wood. The period ended as it started with Phoenix on top with the better of the chances but the score remained 0-0

The Steeldogs took the lead on 24.02 with a fine skate down the left wing by Greg Wood who then beat Stephen Fone on his left side. Andre Payette and James Archer both sat out minor penalties and the Dogs silenced the large Phoenix contingent with a second goal. Again the scorer and thorn in the Phoenix flesh was Greg Wood. Steeldogs were having their best spell of the match at this time and their hard-nosed forechecking game appeared to put Phoenix off their own natural style. However Phoenix pulled a goal back with just 1.50 left in the period. Luke Boothroyd skated out of the penalty box after sitting out a 2 minute hooking call and latched on to a superb pass from Timo Kuuluvainen to skate round Zimozdra in the Dogs’ net and score. Phoenix ended the period on top but the honours went to the home side.

Andy Hirst made it 3-1 to the home side with just 2.46 gone in the final period and the Dogs were looking like taking a healthy lead back to Altrincham for Sunday’s second leg. Phoenix looked lethargic and good goaltending by Fone kept the score at 3-1.

Phoenix once again showed resilience and pulled a goal back on 45.23. Good work by Tom Duggan down the right saw him send the puck into the danger area and Scott McKenzie scored on his Phoenix debut. The visitors could have drawn level with 10 minutes left when they hit the pipes for the second time in the game but the Steeldogs held on to take a narrow one goal lead into the second leg.

All in all a good performance by Phoenix against a team who were playing their 4th pre-season game. Phoenix, on the other hand, had only trained twice before making their season debut.  Forward Timo Kuuluvainen was given Man of the Match but he was just one of a host of Phoenix players who could have taken the honour.

This leaves all to play for in Sunday’s second leg, so get down to the Dome and cheer the lads on to their first trophy of the season.