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Phoenix down the Jets to sweep the series

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Slough Jets 2 Manchester Phoenix 5

Phoenix scorers: Robin Kovar x 2, Michal Psurny x 2, James Archer

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix brought the points back north with a fine win in Slough on Saturday night. The result also meant that Phoenix swept the series with 6 wins against their Berkshire opponents.

The first period was an even affair with both teams showing they were keen to get a result and both netminders making fine saves. The home side took the lead on 13.50 with a power play goal as Ben Wood sat out a minor tripping penalty. Slough coach Craig Moran pulled a master stroke by swapping his import netminder with British youngster Danny Milton to allow them to play 3 imports on the power play line. It paid dividends as Ales Padelek was at the back post to sweep home a rebound after Stephen Fone had made a good save from Kamil Tvrdek. Second assist went to Matt Towalski. The period ended 1-0 to the Jets and a shot count of 13-15 in favour of Phoenix showed how competitive the period had been.

Phoenix came out all guns blazing and equalised just 47 seconds into the second period. Robin Kovar hit a speculative shot on goal from an Andy McKinney pass and home netminder Andrej Vasiljevic allowed the puck to trickle between his pads and into the net. Slough used the same netminder change again on 28.07 to regain the lead as Joe Graham sat out a rather harsh boarding penalty. This time it was the second power play shift that scored. Jamie Line finished off the move with Ryan Webb given an assist. Phoenix then began to exert some pressure on the home defence and deservedly equalised on 37.16 with the goal of the night. Starting the move deep in their own zone Phoenix gained the Jets’ end with a series of neat passing and Michal Psurny shot the puck home from the slot to make the score 2-2. Assists went to Tony Hand and James Archer. Two minutes later, Phoenix took the lead with a similar goal, this time on the power play. James Archer was on hand to drive the puck into the net from a Tony Hand pass. Second assist went to Robin Kovar.  A dominant Phoenix went to the second break 3-2 up and looking in control of the match.

Phoenix continued to exert pressure on the beleaguered home defence in the third period and closed the match down with two further goals. Michal Psurny scored his second of the night on 52.27 assisted by James Archer. Then Robin Kovar hit his second on 56.50 assisted by Frankie Bakrlik. Phoenix then wound the clock down for a well earned 5-2 result and two points in the bag.

Coach Hand said after the win:

“We played well tonight but credit to Slough who battled all game. They will definitely be a force at home and will take points off sides before the end of the season. This was a good two points for us as the Jets can be a real problem in their own rink.”

Phoenix are back home on Sunday to play Milton Keynes Lightning with the usual 1730hrs face off.