Four-point weekend for injury ravaged Phoenix

Sunday, 28th September 2014

Manchester Phoenix 3 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Phoenix scorers: James Archer x 2, James Neil

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix made it a 4 point weekend with a hard fought victory over Peterborough Phantoms.

Phoenix blasted out of the traps and scored with 3.57 on the clock. Tony Hand found James Archer who sent in a rocket from the right circle to beat Janis Auzins in the Phantoms net. Michal Psurny was also awarded an assist. Two minutes later Michal Psurny dipsy doodled his way through the Peterborough defence only to lose control of the puck just as he was about to shoot. Phoenix doubled their lead with 16.57 on the clock as Hand found Psurny who sent the puck in front of the crease and James Archer was all alone in front of the net and he swept the puck in for 2-0.

That was the end of the scoring in the first period and a confident Phoenix side went to the locker room with the two goal lead, having out shot the visitors 18-10.

Phoenix continued their domination in the second period but Peterborough were creating chances of their own. 4.17 into the period they took one of their chances when Slava Koulikov found Darius Pliskauskas on the left wing and he beat Stephen Fone with a crisp shot. Both teams were in fine attacking mode but the netminders stood firm and neither allowed the puck past them. End of two periods and the score was 2-1 to the home side.

In a game of very few penalties, Phoenix made it 3-1 on the power play as Cameron McGiffen sat out a tripping penalty. Tony Hand saw James Neil free and the defenceman roofed the puck, top shelf, for Phoenix’s third goal. Peterborough, though, are a team that never gives up and when Robin Kovar, deputising on defence for the injured Johan Burlin, went to the box on a hooking penalty, they pulled their netminder for an extra outfield skater and made the advantage count with their second goal. Edgars Apelis flung the puck into the danger zone from the blue line and James Ferrara was in the right place to send it past Fone for 3-2. Peterborough again pulled their goalie in an attempt to level the scores but some resolute defending by the Phoenix rearguard kept them out and the home side took the win.

The victory for Phoenix came at a price though as James Archer had to be helped off the ice in the second period after a collision with Auzins in the Peterborough net and Johan Burlin did not appear for the third period either after injury. The treatment table is looking full with Jacob Corson Heron and Frantisek Bakrlik still injured and now James Archer and Johan Burlin join them there.

Phoenix have no home game next week as they face Sheffield Steeldogs away next Friday and make the long trip down to Guildford to play the Flames on Sunday.