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Phoenix and Flames in 11-goal thriller

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Manchester Phoenix 5 - Guildford Flames 6 (after penalty shots.)

Phoenix scorers: Shaun Thompson, Robin Kovar, James Archer, Frantisek Bakrlik and Tony Hand

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix and the Guildford Flames served up a goal-fest at the Dome on Sunday night.

The Flames, determined to bounce back from a heavy Saturday night defeat, took the game to Phoenix right from the start and took the lead on 3.54 with a David Longstaff strike, assisted by Vladimir Kutny and Matt Towe. Guildford kept the pressure on and Stephen Fone was the busier of the two netminders. 

The home side were creating chances as well and equalised on 13.28. A Flames’ attack was broken up on the centre line and Shaun Thompson came away with the puck down the right wing then sent a blistering shot high to netminder Greg Rockman’s left shoulder. Guildford continued to look the better team and went into the break 2-1 in the lead, thanks to a Marcus Kristoffersson power play goal. 

Guildford again started strongly in the second period and doubled their advantage when Kristoffersson scored on the powerplay at 21.05. Phoenix came more into the game after that goal and Greg Rockman pulled off a number of good saves. There was nothing he could do on 25.07 as Robin Kovar scored to make it 2-3. Outstanding saves from both netminders ensured that the Flames maintained their one goal lead after 40 minutes of hockey

The third period started with Phoenix getting themselves right back into the game with two goals in the first 46 seconds. James Archer made it 3-3 with a powerplay goal on 40.26 and Frankie Bakrlik continued his hot streak with the go ahead goal just 20 seconds later to raise the roof. Guildford, however, are a good side and they scored two quick goals of their own to re-take the lead. Ben Campbell made it 4-4 on 44.08 and two minutes later Marcus Kristoffersson scored his third of the night and Flames’ fifth to put his side 5-4 in front. 

However, Phoenix have shown tremendous resilience in the past few weeks and just do not know when to lie down and die. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Guildford net and got their reward on 53.13 with a Tony Hand power play goal. Just prior to that, netminder Greg Rockman had to leave the ice with what looked like a groin injury and was replaced by James Hadfield. There was no further scoring in regulation time and the match went to overtime with the score at 5-5. 

Phoenix were the stronger team in overtime, helped by 1.15 of a 4 on 3 powerplay while Branislav Kvetan sat out a delay of game penalty. Despite constant pressure the Guildford defence held strong to send the game into penalty shots.

Adam Walker, Frankie Bakrlik and Shaun Thompson all missed for Phoenix, as did David Longstaff and Josef Kohut for Guildford, leaving new Flames import Vladimir Kutny to score the winning shot through Stephen Fone’s five hole to give them the extra point.