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Phoenix edged out by Swindon

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Manchester Phoenix faced the Swindon Wildcats on Saturday evening, still missing Gareth O’Flaherty following a concussion injury.

Swindon created a few early chances and were rewarded when Polish forward Tomasz Malasinski found the top corner at 5:02 to open the scoring.  In an even first period, Swindon doubled their lead at 13:21 when Jan Kostal fired home.

Phoenix got back into the game thanks to a deflected shot from Stanislav Gron at 23:21 on the Powerplay after being set up by Robin Kovar.  Phoenix then laid siege to the Swindon goal but two quick goals from Aaron Nell gave Swindon a comprehensive 4-1 lead after two periods.

The three goal deficit didn’t deter Phoenix in the final period, and the visitors were rewarded at 54:45 when Gron roofed a rebound over Stevie Lyle, however the goal was inexplicably awarded to Michal Satek.  Swindon’s lead was reduced to one with 59 seconds remaining through Ben Wood on a 6 on 4 Powerplay with goaltender Steven Fone pulled for an extra skater.  Phoenix worked hard for an equaliser but Swindon hung on to claim a 4-3 win.

Coach Tony Hand commented: "The boys worked hard all night – we’ve come here and outshot a talented Swindon side and we could easily have got something out of the game.  Despite going behind, we kept going and Swindon were under real pressure in the final stages."

Phoenix host the Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday night in Deeside with a 6:30pm face-off.