Solid defensive display secures Phoenix play-off place

Sunday, 21st February 2016

Manchester Phoenix secured their place in the end of season play-offs following a battling 3-2 home win over the Milton Keynes Lightning.

Phoenix were handed an early Powerplay and a slick passing move saw Michal Satek denied by Dean Skinns. At the other end of the ice, Jordan Cownie was a number of MK players who were kept out by Steve Fone, but as the period was drawing to a close, Mark Thomas floated a shot on net which somehow got past Skinns to give Phoenix a 1-0 lead.

The second period was a fast, end-to-end affair, with Phoenix doubling their advantage as Jacob Corson-Heron fired home following a perfect pass from Stanislav Gron at 25:32, which came shortly after Lewis Hook wasted a good chance for the visitors. Robin Kovar then made it 3-0 on the break at 30:54 with the assist going to Martin Baranek, as he fired past Skinns, who was then replaced in net by Jordan Marr.

MK got back into the game with a superb goal as a cross ice pass from Hook set up Blaz Emersic to score at 31:57, and Phoenix had to work hard to keep MK out on a late Powerplay.

The visitors’ second goal did arrive early in the final period as Bobby Chamberlain fired under Fone at 41:06 and the Phoenix defensive unit worked hard to keep the lead intact. Phoenix were unable to capitalise on a 5-on-3 Powerplay as Marr made a couple of superb saves, but despite a nervous end to the game, Phoenix hung on to claim a 3-2 victory.

Phoenix are at home next Sunday against the Bracknell Bees with a 6:30pm face-off in Deeside.