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Satisfying road win for Phoenix

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Swindon Wildcats 2 - Manchester Phoenix 4

Phoenix scorers: Michal Psurny x 2, James Archer and Liam Chong

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix came home from Wiltshire with the points on Saturday night after a very satisfying 4-2 victory over the Wildcats.

A full strength Phoenix were looking to bounce back from a disappointing result in Bracknell last week and started well putting home netminder Stevie Lyle under pressure from the off, forcing a couple of good saves early on. Phoenix had the better of the first period and deservedly took the lead on 18.50 with a James Archer special. Luke Boothroyd passed out of defence to Michal Psurny who sent Archer through, one on one, with the excellent Stevie Lyle. James then went right, left, right to put Lyle on the deck and slid the puck into the net for 1-0.

Swindon came back at Phoenix in the second but the defence, who had a torrid time in Bracknell, stuck to their task and kept the Wildcats forwards at bay. Stephen Fone was called on to make a few top class saves but could do nothing about Swindon’s equaliser on 29.19. Alex Symonds found Jonas Hoog at the back of the net and he sent a pinpoint pass to the rushing Ryan Watt who blasted the puck past the helpless Fone. Phoenix responded well and re-took the lead just 2 minutes later. Frankie Bakrlik sent Michal Psurny through alone on netminder Lyle and the in-form sniper easily beat him to make the score 2-1 to the visitors. Phoenix made it a two goal lead with less than two minutes to go in the second period. Frankie Bakrlik was sitting out a two minute tripping call when Tony Hand sent a sublime pass to Michal Psurny who once again beat Lyle one on one for   3-1.

Into the third period and an even handed contest saw a goal apiece. Stevie Lyle had made two outstanding back to back saves to deny the Phoenix forwards, but could do nothing about Liam Chong’s goal on 46.58. Joe Graham played the puck out of defence and Jack Watkins got the biscuit to Liam Chong behind the goal. The young British forward skated out front and slid the puck past Lyle at his left hand post for the wrap around goal and a 4-1 lead for Phoenix. Swindon were not out of it and pulled a goal back on the power play on 53.37. Ben Wood was sitting out a roughing penalty as the Wildcats’ top line clicked to make the score 4-2. Jonas Hoog worked the puck to Aku Pekkarinen who slid it left to the unmarked Jan Kostal who beat Stevie Fone for 4-2. There was no further scoring as Phoenix closed the game down and won the game 4-2 to the delight of the large contingent of their fans in the corner away block.