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Phoenix take the sting out of the Bees

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Manchester Phoenix 7 - Bracknell Bees 0

Phoenix scorers: Frantisek Bakrlik x 2, Robin Kovar x 2, James Archer,  Luke Boothroyd and Tony Hand.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix comprehensively beat a short benched Bracknell Bees at the Dome with a powerful attacking performance. Phoenix themselves were missing Stephen Fone, Jack Watkins and Bobby Chamberlain with Gareth O’Flaherty, signed on a three way deal with Coventry Blaze Elite and NIHL teams, making his home debut.

Phoenix were dominant from the start and a 23 shot 1st period brought 2 goals. The first came on 4.44 with a power play goal by James Archer. Tony Hand found Frankie Bakrlik on the blue line and his crisp shot was directed into the net by Archer from the front of the crease. Despite constant pressure throughout the period, Phoenix could only find the net one more time with 14 seconds left on the clock. It was the home side’s second power play goal of the evening; Frankie Bakrlik the scorer with assists going to Robin Kovar and Tony Hand. End of the 1st period 2-0.

Bracknell re-organised during the break and started to take the game to Phoenix in the second period. Declan Ryan continued his good form with a number of key saves and the Phoenix forwards contributed with two more goals. With 29.59 on the clock Frankie Bakrlik scored his second of the evening, assisted by James Neal and Robin Kovar. 6 minutes later it was 4-0 as Robin Kovar got himself on the score sheet with a good finish. Shaun Thompson and Frankie Bakrlik were awarded assists on the goal. Two periods gone and the game seemed out of Bracknell’s reach as Phoenix went to the break 4-0 to the good.

Phoenix regained the momentum in the third and Robin Kovar made it 5-0 early in the period with a neat goal at the back post. Joe Graham and Frankie Bakrlik assisted on the goal.  The huge crowd were treated to a further two goals as the game wound down. Captain Luke Boothroyd scored from an impossible angle on 51.59 and 29 seconds later it was 7-0 as player coach Tony Hand hit the net, assisted by Michal Psurny and James Archer. That ended the scoring for the evening giving Phoenix two vital points.

Coach Hand said after the game: “The guys bounced back well after Saturday night’s defeat and I thought we played well throughout. Now we have next weekend off to re-charge the batteries before two tough games against Peterborough and Milton Keynes.”