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Phoenix bitten by the Dogs in Sheffield

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Sheffield Steeldogs 4 - Manchester Phoenix 2

Phoenix scorers: Nico Aaltonen and Stanislav Gron

A mixed night for Phoenix in Sheffield where they dominated the Steeldogs for the first period but fell short in the end, going down 4-2.

The first couple of minutes saw end to end play with both sides using the speed of their imports. The visitors then took control and only a superb display by Dalibor Sedlar in the Dogs’ goal prevented an avalanche of goals. Phoenix took the lead on 7.34 with James Archer, Stan Gron and Nico  Aaltonen combining down the ice from their own blue line, the move finishing with Gron finding Aaltonen in front of the net for the first goal. The rampant visitors doubled their lead on 26.08 with Gron turning scorer, assisted by James Archer and Trent Hope. Steeldogs hit back quickly and within 30 seconds Ashley Calvert had pulled a goal back, assisted by Craig Elliot and Greg Wood. No more goals in the period but the huge away contingent were treated to the Stan Gron show as the big forward tormented the home defence until the first break.

Sheffield’s player coach Greg Wood obviously used the break time to have a few words with his charges as the Dogs came out strongly in the second period with fast break out attacks by Bosas and Korhorn.  They were rewarded on 38.34 with a delayed penalty goal after Mark Thomas was called on a high stick infringement and, after using the extra man to good effect, Lubomir Korhon netted, assisted by Liam Charnock and Stan Lascek. 76 seconds later after a defensive lapse by Phoenix, the home side took the lead through Korhon, this time assisted by Lewis Bell and Tom Squires.  A combination of good Phoenix defence and poor finishing by Sheffield kept the score at 3-2 going into the second break.

Phoenix suffered a huge blow when Robin Kovar failed to come out for the third period and a depleted squad tired as the period went on. Phoenix pressed the home defence in the last few minutes but were not helped by a bizarre slashing call on Stan Gron on the Phoenix blue line.  This was compounded by a few choice words from Gron, resulting in a 10 minute misconduct. Sheffield took full advantage with a fourth goal on the powerplay to put the result beyond the visitors. Korhon netted his hat trick goal assisted by Arnoldas Bosas and Ashley Calvert.  Phoenix were awarded a couple of make up calls by the referee towards the end but to no avail.

A disappointing result after a good start to the game left Phoenix reflecting and heading back across the hills to face the Swindon Wildcats in the Sunday home game, face off 1830hrs as usual.