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Amazing comeback win the points for Phoenix

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Telford Tigers 5 - Manchester Phoenix 6 (after penalty shots)

Phoenix scorers: Bobby Chamberlain, Robin Kovar, Shaun Thompson, Adam Walker and Frankie Bakrlik. Penalty shots scored by Adam Walker and Frankie Bakrlik

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron”, Manchester Phoenix, staged an amazing second period comeback to shock the league leaders and come home with the 2 points.

Phoenix were icing without netminder Stephen Fone and forward Jack Watkins and with ex Telford goalie Declan Ryan between the pipes.

The visitors fell behind on 6.33 with a wraparound goal by Jason Silverthorn. Joe Miller fed the ex Elite League forward and he swung round behind the net and slipped the puck past the diving Declan Ryan to make it 1-0. A minute later Blahosek Novak made it 2-0 with a speculative strike that deceived Ryan. A shell-shocked Phoenix fell further behind on 9.16 when Jonathan Weaver sent a centre ice pass that split the Phoenix defence in two and found Silverthorn who raced in on goal and roofed the puck before Ryan could get set for the shot. Phoenix were creating a few chances and Thomas Murdy in the Telford net had to be alert to keep his net intact. With 2 minutes left on the clock Bobby Chamberlain was called for boarding and Scott from Telford raced in to have a discussion with Chamberlain. Both players could think themselves lucky they only sat out for 2 minutes each. The period ended with no further score and the home side looked comfortable at 3-0.

Phoenix opened the third period and were soon in penalty trouble as Shaun Thompson was called for kneeing followed by Robin Kovar on a charging call. Phoenix organised their 3 on 5 defence well and survived the penalty kill. Scott (Telford) was next to hit the box on a tripping call and Phoenix took advantage to pull a goal back on 29.54. Bobby Chamberlain was the scorer, assisted by Adam Walker and Shaun Thompson. 40 seconds later the visitors were given a too many men penalty. Phoenix pressed the Telford power play unit and got their reward with a short handed goal by Robin Kovar assisted by great work on the boards by Frankie Bakrlik. The large Phoenix crowd at last had something to shout and sing about and almost brought the roof down less than a minute later when Shaun Thompson scored the equaliser. Assists this time to Robin Kovar and Ben Wood. It got even better for the travelling support on 36.09 with a delightful Adam Walker goal. Phoenix pressure around the net paid off when the puck rose into the air off a clearance. Walker brought the puck down and sent a sweet shot through traffic into Murdy’s net. 4-3 Phoenix. Telford called a time out to try and steady the ship and they held out for the rest of the period. Telford certainly seemed to be missing coach Tom Watkins, at the local hospital with his son Sam, who was injured in an earlier junior game. All at Phoenix wish the young man well and hope he recovers soon.

First penalty of the third period went to Shaun Thompson for high sticks and once again the Phoenix penalty kill brought a short handed goal. This time it was Frankie Bakrlik who scored assisted by Ben Wood. Johan Burlin, having a great game, hit the post shortly afterwards and Phoenix were looking the dominant team. Telford are not league leaders for nothing and they slowly forced Phoenix onto the back foot and were rewarded with just over 8 minutes left in the game when Silverthorn scored his hat trick goal, assisted by Miller and Szabo. The same unit tied the game up a minute later with a power play goal scored by Miller. Phoenix were under sustained pressure for the remainder of the period but the defence stood strong with Ryan making three key saves to keep the hungry Telford forwards at bay. Regulation time ended with the score tied at 5-5, giving the crowd a couple of minutes respite before overtime.

Phoenix had the first chance 52 seconds into overtime but Murdy was up to it and gloved the puck. Both netminders were looking sharp as overtime ended without further scoring and the match went to penalty shots.

Adam Walker was first up for Phoenix and he beat Murdy to put Phoenix ahead. Ryan saved Dan Davies’ shot, Frankie Bakrlik scored to put the visitors two shots up and ex Phoenix forward Joe Miller took to the ice, knowing he had to score to keep his team in the game. Declan Ryan, however, looked determined to get his second penalty shot win in two games and he blocked Miller’s shot and leapt in delight as his team mates converged on him with their congratulations.

An outstanding game of hockey that saw Phoenix re-group and shock the home side with the victory. Man of the match awards went to Declan Ryan for Phoenix and Jason Silverthorn for the Tigers.

Coach Hand said after the game: “I am proud of all the guys tonight. We showed tremendous character to come back and win. Not many teams will get a result in this rink. Telford are a quality side and look very strong all through their line up.” 

Phoenix travel to Swindon on Saturday and are in action at the Dome on Sunday against the Bracknell Bees with the usual 17:30 face off.