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Depleted Phoenix take the points in Scotland

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Solway Sharks 0 - Manchester Phoenix 11

Phoenix Scorers: Michal Psurny x 3, Jack Watkins x 3, Adam Walker x 2, Ben Wood, Luke Boothroyd and Johan Burlin.

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron”, Manchester Phoenix, made a first trip over the border to Dumfries in the British Challenge Cup and came home with the points in a one-sided 11-0 victory.

Phoenix travelled with 15 players; James Archer and Jacob Corson-Heron still on the injured list, imports Robin Kovar and Frankie Bakrlik given the night off and Tony Hand concentrating on coaching. There was more injury woe when Bobby Chamberlain was unable to ice in the 2nd and 3rd periods.  

Phoenix made a fast start and immediately pinned the Sharks in their own zone. With 1.18 on the clock, Ben Wood was alone on the blue line and when Michal Psurny found him, he rocketed the puck past Kyle Johnston in the Sharks’ goal.

By the time the period was half way through, Phoenix had found the net twice more as Jack Watkins and Luke Boothroyd hit the twine. Adam Walker finished off the scoring with a neat wrap around goal on 17.54. 

Phoenix were relentless and by the 30 minute mark had found the net another 4 times through Michal Psurny, stand-in forward Johan Burlin, Adam Walker and Jack Watkins. Tony Hand called time out after number 8 and put youngster Harry Greaves in net, giving Declan Ryan the rest of the night off. Michal Psurny added his second of the evening a minute later, and the period ended with no further scoring.

The visitors visibly took their foot off the gas in the third period but still managed two more goals through hat trick markers for both Jack Watkins and Michal Psurny. Solway were game opponents to the end but came up against a well-drilled Phoenix team who demonstrated the difference between the leagues.

Coach Hand said after the match: “The game gave us a couple of challenges due to only having a limited number of players to choose from. Jacob Heron took part in the warm up but he is not ready for combat yet. Losing another forward when Bobby Chamberlain could not continue meant another re-shuffle of the lines with Johan Burlin playing up front. It was also good to give some decent ice time to youngsters Pollitt and Greaves. I thought we adapted well and stayed focussed throughout the game.”