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Phoenix claim clinical win in Hull

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Manchester Phoenix recorded their third away win in a row as they cruised to a 6-1 win at the Hull Pirates on Saturday night.

It was Phoenix who created most of the early opportunities with Michal Satek tipping a Jacob Corson-Heron shot onto the post.  The deadlock was broken when Ben Wood released Martin Baranek on a breakaway and he snapped a shot past Martins Raitums at 8:54.  Phoenix survived a number of half chances and had most of the play as the period ended 1-0.

The second goal arrived early in the second period as good work from Baranek set up Robin Kovar and he slotted the puck under Raitums at 26:15.  A Phoenix giveaway on the Powerplay presented an excellent opportunity to Tommi Laine but he was superbly denied by Steve Fone, and Phoenix went up the other end and made it 3-0 as Ben Wood slammed home a Kovar pass at 30:28.  The fourth goal arrived at 37:48 as a pinpoint pass from James Neil found Corson-Heron all alone and he made no mistake.

The Phoenix pressure was unrelenting and it was soon 5-0 in the third period as a drop pass from Kovar allowed Baranek to fire past Raitums at 41:52.  The game was becoming more open as Satek was denied a sixth goal in a one-on-one situation, whilst Laine was again thwarted by Fone.  Corson-Heron grabbed his second of the night at 52:45 when he converted a pass from Stanislav Gron from behind the net.  Hull finally got the goal which they deserved at 58:28 thanks to Pasi Salonen but it was Phoenix who claimed a convincing 6-1 win.

Phoenix Coach Tony Hand commented: “Tonight was a big game for both teams, and we’ve almost clinched a playoff spot, which is particularly pleasing.  We scored some good goals and Stevie made some important saves at crucial times, and 6-1 was probably not a reflection of the game overall.

“Overall, I’m very happy with the way the team is playing, and our defence is making some good decisions in our own zone.  Guildford are a good team and it will be a tough game tomorrow night, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Phoenix are back in action tomorrow night as they host the Guildford Flames in Deeside with a 6:30pm face-off.