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Phoenix send the Dogs back to the kennels

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SHEFFIELD STEELDOGS  2 MANCHESTER PHOENIX 4

Phoenix scorers: Joaquim Flaten, Tony Hand, James Archer and Michal Psurny

An energetic third period display saw J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix take the two points from Friday night’s league and cup encounter with the Sheffield Steeldogs.

Sheffield and Manchester had early chances in the game with both sides hitting the pipes within the first 4 minutes. Steeldogs forward Tom Squires had the best chance of the game after 4.41 but just failed to beat Stephen Fone in the Phoenix net. An exciting coast to coast skate by Andy McKinney almost put the visitors in front 4 minutes later and Michal Psurny probably should have scored when one on one with Dimitri Zimozdra in the Steeldogs goal after a horrible line change by the Dogs. A strange call by the referee mid way through the period when a player from each side went to the box on interference calls brought the first bout of four on four hockey. The best chance fell to Joaquim Flaten who brought out a good save from Zimozdra. Steeldogs’ coach Andre Payette fell foul of referee Tom Pering on 16.07 when he was called for roughing. Unfortunately for Andre, he protested a little too long and loud and picked up a 10 minutes misconduct for remonstrating with the referee. As the period wound down, Ciaran Long had a good chance for Phoenix when through on the netminder and Tony Hand brought a good save from said goalie. End of the first period with a 0-0 scoreline probably not reflecting the game.

Phoenix started the second period on top but the home side gradually got themselves into the game and had their best spell of the evening around the mid match point when they pinned Phoenix in their own defensive zone for long periods. Their best chance fell to Stuart Brittle who brought out a fine save from Stephen Fone. The last word of the period fell to Phoenix forward Andy McKinney who nearly found the net with 39 minutes on the clock. End of period two and still 0-0.

Phoenix took the lead with just 103 seconds on the clock in the third period when the first line of Flaten-Hand-Psurny found a way past the resolute Sheffield defence. Tony Hand found Psurny free who quickly moved the puck on to Flaten on the left circle and his crisp shot whistled into the net. Ex Phoenix defender Pavel Gomeniuk almost equalised 4 minutes later with a mazy end to end skate, bringing a good save from Fone. With 10 minutes left Phoenix were penalised on a too many men call and the Steeldogs found the net on the resultant power play to make it 1-1. Captain Greg Wood found his player coach Andre Payette whose shot beat Stephen Fone. Phoenix regained the lead two minutes later when the other player coach on the ice, Tony Hand, found himself in space on the left and his shot beat  Zimozdra to make it 2-1. With 55.24 gone, scorer Hand turned provider when he passed from right to left for James Archer to one-time a beauty into the Steeldogs’ net for what looked like game winner.

Steeldogs teams have a reputation for resilience these days and this was borne out by them getting back into the match just 48 seconds later. With major traffic milling around the Phoenix crease, Derek Campbell made it a good night for ex Phoenix players when he back-handed the puck into the net through the melee. That goal set up frantic Steeldogs pressure in the Phoenix defensive zone but relief came by way of an Andre Payette penalty for elbows with just over 3 minutes left. Phoenix took full advantage with a fourth goal, scored by Michal Prusny, assisted by Ondrej Pozivil and Robert Schnabel. Phoenix then saw out the remaining 90 seconds to record a very welcome away win.

Phoenix drove happily back across the Pennines with the points in a strange game in which the result was very much in doubt until that two goal blitz late in the third period by the visitors.

James Neil picked up the man of the match for Phoenix with Steve Duncombe getting the Steeldogs’ vote.

Phoenix will be eager to capitalise on the result when they take on the Swindon Wildcats at the Dome on Sunday, face off 1730hrs.