News

Phoenix take the sting out of the Bees

Tweet

Manchester Phoenix 7 - Bracknell Bees 3

Phoenix scorers: Michal Psurny 2, Robin Kovar 2, James Archer, Frantisek Bakrlik and Andrew McKinney.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix took the points in this English Premier League fixture after a blistering 6 goal second period at the Dome on Saturday night.

Phoenix came out fast and furious and put Bracknell netminder Tom Annetts under some severe pressure in the early minutes of the game. That pressure paid off on 6.03 when James Archer scored to put the home side into the lead. Luke Boothroyd and Tony Hand assisted on the goal. Phoenix continued to dominate proceedings but were pegged back on 16.10 when Chris Wiggins scored from in front of the crease. The teams went into the first break level at 1-1 with the home crowd wondering how this could be after a shot count of 24-7 in Phoenix’s favour.

Worse was to come for the Phoenix faithful after just 68 seconds of the second period when the visitors took the lead. Grant Rounding scored his first goal of the evening, assisted by Rob Lamey and Sam Oakford. The Phoenix reply was swift and sure and two goals in two and a half minutes put them back in front. The scorer had only just finished announcing the Bracknell goal when Andy McKinney brought his side level, assisted by Robert Schnabel and Frankie Bakrlik. Half a minute later, as James Galazzi sat out a tripping minor, Phoenix took full advantage of the extra man with a Michal Psurny goal, with Robert Schnabel again assisting. Bracknell again showed their resilience by equalising on 26.55 as Grant Rounding scored his second of the game to make it 3-3. The goals kept coming and it was Phoenix who took complete control of the game with four goals in seven minutes. Robin Kovar scored on 28.29 with McKinney and Schnabel getting the assists and before the dust had settled Frankie Bakrlik got in on the act with a goal, aided by Robin Kovar. The latter then scored his second and Phoenix’s sixth on 33.48 and the second period scorefest was completed two minutes later by Michal Psurny grabbing his second of the night, assisted by Tony Hand and James Archer. Tom Annetts had had enough by this time and he was replaced in the Bracknell net by Alex Mettam.

Phoenix started the third period without Frankie Bakrlik who had taken a nasty boarding that went unpunished by the referee and watched the remainder of the game from high in the stands. There was no further scoring in the game as Phoenix continued to outshoot their opponents and Mettam in the Bees’ goal did well to keep the score as it was. There was time however for a coming together of both teams as Bracknell’s Scott Spearing and Phoenix defender Robert Schnabel sat out 2 minutes each for roughing and Richard Bentham was given a two plus ten penalty for a check from behind. Final score 7-3 to Phoenix.

Phoenix man of the match, Andrew McKinney, had this to say after the game:

“The whole team played well tonight and we deserved the points. Bracknell are tough opponents but we matched them in every department. We will now go down to their rink tomorrow (Sunday) and try and bring the points back home.”