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Phoenix bring back the points

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Sheffield Steeldogs 4 - Manchester Phoenix 7.

Phoenix scorers: Frantisek Bakrlik x 2, Shaun Thompson x 2, Adam Walker, Robin Kovar and Michal Psurny.

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix took the points in a feisty encounter with Sheffield Steeldogs in Sheffield on Friday night.

The first penalty of the night went to Adam Walker for a slash and the Steeldogs took just 4 seconds to score when Jeff Legue won the face off and found Lloyd Gibson to hit the net. The game’s first flashpoint occurred at 8.36 when Lewis Bell checked Joe Graham to the head and Joe’s reaction resulted in him receiving a match penalty for high sticks. Bell got 2 plus 10 for his initial check. The scores were level on 9.07 with Phoenix scoring on their first powerplay. Frankie Bakrlik scored when he was on “Hand” to take a pass from his coach to beat Dalibor Sedlar. Michal Psurny was awarded the second assist. Andre Payette was next to hit the penalty box on 15.34 and Phoenix took full advantage with an Adam Walker snap shot finding the net, Michal Psurny gaining his second assist of the night. James Neil was given a 2 plus 10 for a check from behind and Ben Morgan was given a roughing call for intervening. Callum Pattison then received a 10 minute misconduct for trying to stir things up at the end of the period and the teams went for a break with the score 2-1 to Phoenix. Despite all the above, the game was entertaining with both sides playing some great hockey.

Phoenix extended their lead on 26.56 with a typical Frankie Bakrlik goal, an assist going to Robin Kovar. Steeldogs’ attacking duo of Legue and Korhon were testing the Phoenix defence and pulled a goal back on 29.42 with a goal from the aforementioned Jeff Legue. Phoenix hit back quickly to restore their two goal advantage with a superb strike from Shaun Thompson on 30.29. Frankie Bakrlik and Robin Kovar assisted in the goal. Ben Morgan then hit one of the goals of the night with a shot from the point after being set up by Craig Elliot.

Tempers frayed again on 38.36. Lloyd Gibson and Frankie Bakrlik clashed in front of the Phoenix net with the Steeldogs man hitting the ice. As Bakrlik was skating to the bench, Ashley Calvert jumped him from behind and the pair tussled and both fell to the ice. The linesmen had a tough job separating the pair and the resulting penalties saw Frankie receive a game penalty for resisting the officials and Calvert picking up a game penalty for roughing followed by a match penalty. The period ended with both netminders pulling off great saves but Phoenix put some daylight between the teams with two late power play goals. Michal Psurny lost his marker Steve Duncombe at the back post and roofed the puck into the net while Andre Payette was sitting out a boarding penalty. With two seconds left on the clock, Robin Kovar scored, assisted by Tony Hand and Adam Walker. A six goal period ended with Phoenix leading 6-3.

If anybody thought the scoreline would put an end to the hostilities, their minds were changed after 57 seconds of the third period when Lloyd Gibson had an altercation with Robin Kovar and received a 2 plus 2 plus game for leaving the players’ bench while Robin picked up a 2 plus 2 for roughing. Phoenix again capitalised on the main advantage when Shaun Thompson hit his second of the night, assisted by Tony Hand and Adam Walker, timed at 42.11. Sheffield upped their game after this and Stephen Fone made a plethora of great saves to keep the dangerous Steeldogs forwards at bay. One triple save had the Phoenix fans on their feet applauding. The Steeldogs’ coach Andre Payette was given a 10 minute misconduct with 4 minutes left and Callum Pattison took an early shower on 57.12 with his second misconduct of the night.

Steeldogs ended the night’s scoring with a power play goal on 59.06 as Ben Wood sat out a delay of game penalty. Phoenix wound down the clock and deservedly took the points back o’er the hills.

Phoenix have Saturday off then make the long trip to Guildford on Sunday. The home fans will have to wait until next Thursday when the Steeldogs come across for a league/cup game.