Phoenix stage huge comeback in shootout loss

Sunday, 20th December 2015

Manchester Phoenix welcomed the Peterborough Phantoms for the last time in Deeside this season, with Deeside Dragons player Paul Davies in the line-up.

It was Phoenix who created the first chance of the game as a fierce Ben Wood shot came back off Phantoms netminder Janis Auzins’ mask. Auzins then produced an excellent save to deny Michal Satek at the back post after being set up by James Archer, before Ales Padalek fired the visitors in front at 11:57 as he found the top corner. Phoenix went to the locker room a goal behind, despite creating a number of chances.

The second period saw Phoenix netminder Steve Fone make a number of excellent stops, whilst James Archer was denied by the post after being set up by Satek. The Phantoms went straight down the other end and Craig Scott was again kept out by Fone as somehow neither side managed to add to the scoreboard.

Phoenix finally got their deserved equaliser when a superb pass from behind the net allowed Robin Kovar to fire under Auzins at 49:10. But Peterborough responded immediately as a shot from Milan Baranyk on 50:31 bobbled past Fone to restore the lead. Phoenix weren’t to be denied however, and on the Powerplay, Kovar fired home a loose puck to send the game into overtime.

Despite an end-to-end five minute session, the game had to be decided in a shootout, which would be Phoenix’s first of the season. In an epic eight round contest, Peterborough’s Will Weldon scored the decisive goal as the two netminders kept out 13 of the 16 shots in total.

Phoenix Coach Tony Hand commented: “Huge credit again to the players as we only had 11 out skaters fit for tonight’s game. Peterborough are a talented side and you can see why they’re top of the league, but we pushed them all the way tonight, and I’m sure it was a very exciting game for the fans.”

Phoenix’s next home game is in the New Year, when they face the Hull Pirates on Sunday 3rd January with a 6:30pm face-off.