Phoenix home misery continues

Friday, 31st October 2014

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron”, Manchester Phoenix, fell to another home defeat on Thursday night against third placed Peterborough Phantoms.

Referee Pering penalised Phoenix after just 38 seconds when Shaun Thompson went to the penalty box on a tripping call. Peterborough took advantage and took the lead at 1.52 when Edgars Bebris scored, assisted by James Ferrara and James Hutchinson. Phoenix had plenty of possession but fell further behind just 5 minutes later when Bebris hit his second of the night after outstripping the Phoenix defence. Assists went to James Hutchinson and Slava Koulikov.

Phantoms hit a third on 16.26 with a fine goal by Luke Ferrara, assisted by Edgars Apelis. Player coach Tony Hand decided to make a change after the third goal and replaced netminder Stephen Fone with Declan Ryan. Phoenix ended a disappointing first period with a goal on 19.49. Michal Psurny played the puck back to Tony Hand and the coach hit the puck sweetly towards goal where Adam Walker got the tip past the netminder to reduce the arrears.

Phoenix dominated the second period, outshooting the Phantoms by 17 shots to 9, but were unable to penetrate a well organised rearguard. Peterborough had a few chances of their own but Declan Ryan was showing fine form in keeping his net intact. End of the second period and Phantoms retained their two goal advantage.

Phantoms were tiring as the third period progressed as Phoenix peppered their goal and Phoenix pulled a goal back on 43.30. A mazy skate out of his own defensive zone by Robin Kovar found Shaun Thompson whose shot was padded by Janis Auzins but Kovar, following up, managed to squeeze the puck into the net. The Phoenix revival was short-lived as the visitors hit a fourth goal with just under 9 minutes left in the game when Luke Ferrara hit his second of the night, sending the puck high over Ryan’s shoulder to put his club 4-2 up. Phoenix again reduced the arrears 2 minutes later with a short-handed goal.

Joe Graham was sitting out a delay of game penalty when Michal Psurny picked up a loose puck and sent Tony Hand away down the right wing. The veteran forward rolled back the years with a beauty of a shot past Auzins to make it 4-3. Phoenix battled hard to try and find an equalising goal but the Peterborough defence held fast and they took the points home with the close one goal victory.

Phoenix Man of the Match, James Neil had this to say on Phoenix TV after the match:

“We are very disappointed with the result tonight. We should not be going 3 goals down at home and that left us with a mountain to climb. We will need to re-group against Blackburn on Sunday and build momentum for a huge weekend against Bracknell and Basingstoke after that.”