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Phoenix win local derby cup match

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Blackburn Hawks 0 - Manchester Phoenix 8

Phoenix scorers: Shaun Thompson x 3, Adam Walker x 2, Frantisek Bakrlik, Robin Kovar and Ben Wood.

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron”, Manchester Phoenix, took two vital cup points in a feisty derby game in Blackburn. It took the EPL side just 3.38 to take the lead when Frankie Bakrlik hit a trade mark howitzer past Stuart Ashton in the Hawks’ net, with assists going to Shaun Thompson and Jack Watkins. The visitors doubled their lead 3 minutes later when Adam Walker was in the right place at the right time to send the puck into the net. Wave after wave of Phoenix attacks paid dividends twice more before the end of the first period with goals from Robin Kovar and Shaun Thompson. Blackburn worked hard and kept Declan Ryan busy but they could not match Phoenix for clinical finishing.

The second period started with Blackburn upping the pace and they had a couple of chances before Ben Wood scored a fifth for Phoenix on 28.46. Jacob Heron found Wood free just inside the blue line on the right and his low shot flew into the net past a surprised Stuart Ashton. Phoenix made it 6-0 at the half way stage of the match with Shaun Thompson’s second of the evening, assisted by Jack Watkins and Joe Graham. There were no further goals in a quietish period as Phoenix continued to control possession, however, as in the first, Declan Ryan had to be alert and he defended his goal admirably on more than one occasion to keep the Hawks off the scoresheet. End of the second, 6-0 to Phoenix

The third period began with a much more physical Blackburn approach and the game boiled over on 44.21. Hawks’ Pavel Slowik slashed Bobby Chamberlain, who retaliated aggressively. The two of them appeared ready for a bout of fisticuffs, however after a bit of posturing Chamberlain brought Slowik to the ice and both men hit the penalty box for 6 minutes. While this was going on, nobody had noticed Shaun Thompson slot the puck home prior to the tussle for his hat trick goal. The shenanigans were not finished and two minutes later Frankie Bakrlik and ex Phoenix forward Jake Nurse came together. Nurse appeared to catch Bakrlik between the legs and the big Czech striker definitely took exception to this. The two big men came together and the Phoenix man got the better of his opponent as he completed the “Gordie Howe hat trick” of a goal, assist and a fight. Both men sat 4 minutes in the box for roughing. Phoenix had time to make it 8-0 with a delightful Adam Walker goal. Bobby Chamberlain found the Scot on the left side and a measured shot went high over the netminder’s shoulder into the net. 

Coach Hand said after the game: “We had a job to do tonight and I thought we did it professionally and confidently. It was important we started converting our chances and we certainly did this. Now we will start work on next weekend where we have tough games in Bracknell and at home to Basingstoke."

Phoenix are next in home action on Sunday night against Basingstoke Bison with the usual 17:30 face off.