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First blood to Tigers

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Manchester Phoenix 1 - Telford Tigers 3

Phoenix scorer: Frantisek Bakrlik

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix lost 3-1 to cup favourites Telford at the Dome on Thursday evening. Phoenix were without Luke Boothroyd and Michal Psurny and the Tigers were missing Dan Scott who took ill on the bus journey to Altrincham.  

The first period was a fast affair with both teams going at it hammer and tongs. The visiting Tigers defence was well marshalled by Jonathan Weaver and kept Phoenix to long shots that Murdy was able to save easily. Telford had the best of the latter stages of the period and took the lead on 19.13. Scott McKenzie was on hand to score with an assist going to Blahoslav Novak. The period ended shortly afterwards with the Tigers just shading it 1-0.

Tigers came out for the second looking to put the game away and Phoenix were under pressure immediately. With 22.43 on the clock Tigers doubled their advantage when Silverthorn,  holding the puck behind the goal, found Nathan Salem in front of the net to shoot the puck home.  Telford’s fast breaking attacks were causing the Phoenix no end of trouble as they continued to press their advantage.  They did make a number of challenges but seemed comfortable to control the game on their own blue line. They scored a third goal as the period ended, Johan Burlin brought the puck over the defensive blue line but a desperate cross ice pass was intercepted by Scott McKenzie for a one on one with Stephen Fone and that was 3-1.

Phoenix came out very strong in the third period and took the game to the Tigers and the huge crowd responded, getting behind their favourites. The roof came off the building on 46.13 when Phoenix scored. Frankie Bakrlik hit the puck on the net from the edge of the crease through traffic and it took a deflection off a Tiger into the goal. Assists went to Ben Wood and Tony Hand. Phoenix piled on the pressure and came close on numerous occasions but could not find a second goal. The game ended with a relieved Tigers team and they take a two goal lead into next week’s second leg.

Phoenix man of the match Shawn Thompson commented after the game: “ It was tough out there but credit to Tigers, they are a very good side. I thought we matched them in the first period and dominated the third but could not convert our chances. It is a six period match and we are only half way. We will go to Telford next week and give it our best. It is not over yet.”

Phoenix are away to Guildford on Saturday then home to Bracknell Bees on Sunday with the usual face off at 17:30. The second leg of the final is next Thursday in Telford with a 1930 face off.