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Panthers too strong as Phoenix disappoint

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Manchester Phoenix were unable to take the form they showed against Sheffield on Friday into tonight’s clash with the newly-installed league leading Nottingham Panthers.

First period strikes by David Struch on a powerplay and Lee Jinman were enough for the East Midlands outfit to take the points and the plaudits from a largely disappointing game from the home perspective.

Phoenix, already without the injured Mike Morin and David Kozier, lost forward Miroslav Skovira as early as the seventh minute when he reacted to a punch by kicking the legs of Panthers forward Mikko Koivunoro from under him. His actions left referee Moray Hanson with no alternative than to eject him on a 5+Game penalty for Tripping.

Phoenix coach Rick Brebant expressed his disappointment saying, “That was chalk and cheese from our performance on Friday against Sheffield. I’m very disappointed that we couldn’t take the same level of commitment and intensity into the second game of the weekend. I cannot blame the younger players who all did their best and indeed overall were arguably our best unit. Jayme Platt was again excellent in goal and I thought Lotsy (Petteri Lotila) worked very hard as well. We just can’t seem to string the consistency that is required together and that is really hard to come to terms with.”

Brebant continued, “I thought we had a game plan to handle the Panthers, but to be fair, they played smartly and to their strengths and you have to give them credit for denying us too many opportunities. I think the fact that their goalie got a shut-out but Jinman got their Man of the Match tells you we didn’t overwork him too much.”