Hard earned victory for Phoenix

Sunday, 23rd November 2014

Manchester Phoenix 3 - Milton Keynes Lightning 2 (Pen Shots)

Phoenix scorers: Jack Watkins and Robin Kovar

Penalty shots: James Archer (saved), Frankie Bakrlik (goal), Michal Psurny (goal), Robin Kovar(saved), Joe Graham (saved), Tony Hand (goal)

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron”, Manchester Phoenix, took the points in a dour tussle against Milton Keynes Lightning. Phoenix were missing Adam Walker and James Neil for the English Premier League match.

Phoenix started strongly as usual and tested Stephen Wall in the MK net in the early minutes. However they could not find their usual rhythm and Lightning took the lead on 6.23 with a goal by Lewis Hook, assisted by Jordan Cownie and Michael Farn. The home side suffered a huge blow a minute later when netminder Stephen Fone had to go off injured after a melee in the crease where a player appeared to fall on his leg. Back up Declan Ryan took over and did well to keep out the Milton Keynes forwards who were hungry to add to their lead. Phoenix equalised on 14.59 when Jack Watkins directed the puck home from the centre of the goal after great work from Jacob Corson-Heron. A second assist went to Bobby Chamberlain. There were no further goals and the period ended even at 1-1.

The second was a dour scrappy affair with neither team able to make their mark on the game. No goals ensued and the teams went for their second cup of tea tied at 1-1.

Lightning took the lead for the second time in the game on 45.34 with a Leigh Jamieson score, assisted by Grant McPherson and Michael Farn. Phoenix set about saving the game and Stephen Wall had to be on top form to deny shots from Frankie Bakrlik and Michal Psurny. He was beaten by a Robin Kovar strike on 54.02, Johan Burlin and James Archer getting the assists. The game ended with Declan Ryan making an unbelievable save to deny MK the points and the match went to overtime

Phoenix dominated overtime but could not find the winner and the dreaded penalty shots came into play.

James Archer (Phoenix) and Milan Kostourek (MK) both missed in the first round. Frankie Bakrlik and Michal Psurny scored for Phoenix with Blaz Emersic and Jordan Cownie finding the net for MK to take the game into a sudden death shootout.

Robin Kovar and Joe Graham missed their shots as did Adam Carr and Stanislav Lascek for Lightning. Phoenix player coach Tony Hand stepped up to take his shot. He looked like he had lost control on the left, recovered to take the puck across the goal then turned and shot from wide right to beat Stephen Wall. Leigh Jamieson came out to try and save the game for Lightning but Declan Ryan stood tall and kept the puck out for the win.

Declan Ryan said after the game: “It was great to get ice time tonight; although I would rather Stephen (Fone) had not got injured. I really enjoyed the game and it was great to get the win.”