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Phoenix bounce back after cup heartache

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Manchester Phoenix 6 - Bracknell Bees 1

Phoenix scorers: Johan Burlin x 2, Robin Kovar, Frantisek Bakrlik, Tony Hand, Shaun Thompson.                    

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix took on the Bracknell Bees in their penultimate regular season game with the shortest bench seen at the Dome; the home favourites being without Luke Boothroyd, Michal Psurny, Joe Graham, Adam Walker and Jacob Corson-Heron. The evening got off to an emotional start with an impeccably observed minutes silence for hockey fan Amy Usher who sadly lost her battle with cancer this week.

Phoenix got the start they and the fans wanted with an early powerplay goal. With Harvey Pitcher in the box on a holding call, the Phoenix special teams unit swung into force when Robin Kovar netted with assists going to Johan Burlin and Shaun Thompson. The goal was timed at 2.32 and just over three minutes later it was 2-0. Frankie Bakrlik took a pass from Bobby Chamberlain to blast the puck past the despairing Tom Annetts, the second assist going to Declan Ryan. The period ended with Phoenix totally dominating, a two goal lead and out shooting their opponents 21-7.

Bracknell came back into the game in the second period and tested the Phoenix netminder on several occasions early on. However it was Phoenix who scored their third of the night on 29.25. A sweet move down the right wing by Robin Kovar sent James Archer in on goal and his pin point pass to the rushing Tony Hand at the back post resulted in the veteran sweeping the puck into the empty net. Bracknell pulled a goal back on 36.19 as Matt Foorde scored from a Harvey Hind-Pitcher pass. Phoenix finished off the period with an outstanding goal from Johan Burlin. The Swedish d-man found the net from an almost impossible angle to score his first goal in front of the home fans on 39.06.

Shaun Thompson scored against his old club on 49.34 to make it 5-1 Phoenix and Johan Burlin rounded off a good evening for Phoenix with his second of the night with 27 seconds left in the match. Tony Hand passed to Robin Kovar who slipped the puck into the middle and Johan found the net with a crisp shot that Tom Annetts could not keep out.

A thoroughly deserved win for Phoenix against a plucky Bees side without three experienced players – Scott Spearing, James Galazzi and Radek Hubacek.

Phoenix man of the match Johan Burlin commented on Phoenix TV after the game: “Yes, I got two goals but you cannot score without good passes and my team mates did this. We wanted the win tonight to start the momentum going into the play offs next week.”