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Wildcats tamed by rampant Phoenix

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Swindon Wildcats 0 - Manchester Phoenix 4

Manchester Phoenix scorers: Tony Hand, Michal Psurny, Robert Schnabel and Frantisek Bakrlik

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix gave an awesome display at the Link Centre on Saturday night when they shut out the Wildcats 4-0.

A full-strength Phoenix side took the game to the Cats right from the first face off and Stevie Lyle in the home net had to be alert from the first shift to save from Frankie Bakrlik. Phoenix were not to be denied for long and they took the lead on 4.40. Robert Schnabel found Michal Psurny down the left wing and the latter’s pin point pass to the rushing Tony Hand allowed the player-coach to beat Lyle with a crisp shot. Swindon were finding it difficult to get out of their own zone and it was no surprise when Phoenix doubled their lead on 10.20 with a goal similar to their first. This time, Hand was the provider, with a pass to Liam Chong on the wing and his pass into the centre allowed Michal Psurny to tap the puck into the net for 2-0. Swindon were making few chances, mostly on the break, as the well organised Phoenix defence closed out the period with a two goal lead.

The visitors continued to press the hard worked Swindon defence in the second period and it came as no surprise to the travelling fans when they increased the lead on 25.50. Frankie Bakrlik and Robin Kovar worked the puck deep and the latter found Robert Schnabel on the blue line. The big Czech defender hit an unstoppable cannon past Lyle before he could react to make it 3-0. Wildcats worked hard to get into the match but good defence and a couple of fine saves from Stephen Fone kept the home side’s scoresheet blank and the teams went to the second tea break with the score at 3-0 to Phoenix.

No real change in the third period as Phoenix’s domination of the game continued and the night’s scoring was completed on 49.34 with a power play goal from Frankie Bakrlik. After a neat exchange between Tony Hand and Robin Kovar opened up a gap in the Swindon rearguard, he had all the time in the world to pick his spot past Lyle. Phoenix then closed out the game for an excellent 2 points on the road with a final score of 4-0.

Coach Hand said after the game:

“Swindon are always a tough team to play in their barn and I thought we played an excellent road game tonight. We worked hard, made the chances and put them away. Can’t fault the team tonight, a good 2 points and now on to tomorrow’s game against Peterborough.”