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Great comeback earns Phoenix the points

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Manchester Phoenix 3 - Swindon Wildcats 2.

Phoenix scorers: Michal Psurny, James Archer and Frantisek Bakrlik.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix had to come from two goals down to take the points in this EPL/Cup match at the Dome.

Swindon blasted the home side with two goals inside the first 91 seconds of the game. The home fans were stunned into silence as Jonas Hoog took a pass from Shane Moore and fired a shot past Stephen Fone before he could set up for the save. The goal was timed at 0.31 and worse was to come 60 seconds later when defender Alex Symonds hit a shot that tipped off Ben Wood’s stick and into the net past the helpless Fone. Phoenix went on the first power play of the evening on 2.34 when Swindon netminder Steve Lyle hit the puck out of play to receive a 2 minute delay of game penalty. The home side were unable to capitalise but did pull a goal back on 6.46. James Archer worked the puck to Tony Hand who found Michal Psurny all alone at the back post. The in-form Czech forward swept the puck high into the net with Steve Lyle stranded. There was no further scoring in the period and the visitors took an unlikely 2-1 to the locker room as Phoenix dominated play with a shot count of 21-8 but unable to convert the chances.

The second period more or less mirrored the first with Phoenix in charge and Swindon mounting a solid rearguard while showing how dangerous their forwards were on numerous breakout situations. Phoenix were rewarded for their dominance with the equalising goal on 29.40. James Archer was first to react to a loose puck and forced the puck home, much to the delight of the home crowd. Assists went to Joe Graham and Michal Psurny. Swindon had the puck in the net just after the equaliser, however, the referee had blown his whistle for the net being off its moorings before the puck crossed the line. Swindon protested vociferously to no avail and the scorer put his pen away for the last ten minutes of the period and the game went to the second break even at 2-2.

The third started with 27 seconds of four on four as Shane Moore and Andy McKinney sat out penalties dished out at the end of the second period. Swindon had a brief power play opportunity following Moore’s penalty but were unable to beat Stephen Fone who had come on to an excellent game after the shock of the first 90 seconds. The game-winning goal for Phoenix came with just under 8 minutes of the match left. The goal could have been described in hockey terms as an ugly goal but it matters not how the puck crosses the line, just that it does. Robin Kovar used his football skills to kick the puck back into the danger zone and it deflected off Frankie Bakrlik’s skate past the desolate Steve Lyle and the Dome erupted more in relief that uncontrollable joy as their favourites took what was to prove to be the winning lead. The Swindon players made a short, unconvincing protest to the referee but, for the second time in the game, their complaints were not convincing and the goal was awarded. Swindon tried desperately in the last minute of the game to get Lyle off for the extra skater, but were unable to do so until there were just 16 seconds left on the clock, and Phoenix closed the game out for a valuable two points.

Phoenix man of the match, James Archer had this to say after the game:

“We worked very hard for the points tonight, especially after not getting off to the best of starts. We stuck to our task and got the reward of 2 points in the end. Now on to Guildford tomorrow and we will have to be at our best against a very good side and hopefully bring the points home.”