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Phoenix lose at Guildford

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Guildford Flames 6 - Manchester Phoenix 3

Phoenix scorers: Bobby Chamberlain, Michal Psurny and Adam Walker.

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix fell short in Guildford on Sunday night as they went down 6-3 to the local Flames.

Phoenix started well and after both teams traded shots on netminders Greg Rockman and Declan Ryan, Bobby Chamberlain raced down the left wing after taking a pass from Johan Burlin and beat Rockman low to his left for a superb opening goal timed at 7.59. Flames took just 2 minutes to equalise through Ben Campbell with assists going to Matt Towe and Jez Lundin. The home side took a 2-1 into the 1st period break when Owen Fussey lifted the puck over exposed Declan Ryan’s pads after the young Phoenix netminder had made a fine initial save.

The second period started disastrously for the visitors when they coughed up a short handed goal by Ben Campbell just 43 seconds into the period. Phoenix, however, were still in the game at this juncture and Michal Psurny reduced the arrears on 21.09 on the same power play. Two quick home goals by Danny Meyers (22.27) and Matt Towe (24.29) put daylight between the sides. Phoenix once again reduced the lead when Adam Walker scored a power play goal on 28.25, making it 5-3. Assists went to Tony Hand and Robin Kovar. The period ended with Phoenix outshooting the Flames 14-11 but still had it all to do in the third, trailing by two goals.

Flames all but ended the match as a contest on 41.19 when Owen Fussey netted a personal pair and Flames’ sixth goal. Phoenix never gave up as the home side closed the game down and took the two points.

Coach Hand said after the game:

“I have no complaints tonight. Guildford are a good side and we were always going to find it difficult, especially being 3 men down. We made a few mistakes that Guildford punished although I thought we played well overall and might have taken something from the game. I thought young Jared Dickinson did well for us this evening.”