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Phoenix comeback stuns Guildford

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Manchester Phoenix produced a stirring third period comeback to claim a 5-4 win in overtime against the Guildford Flames in Deeside this evening

Phoenix started promisingly with Stanislav Gron having a good chance short-handed before Janis Ozolins hit the post for Guildford.  Ben Campbell then gave the visitors the lead, capitalising on a rebound at 10:41.  Phoenix hit back with two quick goals; firstly Michal Satek rounded the keeper after being set up by Gron at 13:56.  Fifteen seconds later, a drop pass from Satek allowed Gron to fire into the top corner.

Guildford had a number of chances at the start of the second period on the Powerplay but Steve Fone kept the Flames at bay.  The game was end-to-end, with Robin Kovar denied for Phoenix before Lee Esders hit the bar from close in for Guildford.  With the referee failing to spot a number of Guildford infringements, Andrew Hemmings levelled the game at 36:51 and then Jez Lundin put the Flames 3-2 in front on the Powerplay at 38:44.

Guildford extended their lead early in the third as Sam Godfrey scored from the blue line at 40:55.  The referee then finally saw fit to hand Guildford a penalty after 45 minutes and Phoenix took advantage as Kovar set up Mark Thomas who blasted the puck past Richard Ullberg at 45:40.  A sustained spell of pressure was rewarded late on as James Archer found Gron in front of the net, and a deft backhand sneaked in at 57:25 to tie the game at 4-4.

Both sides appeared to settle for overtime and in the extra session, Kovar’s shot on goal was jammed home by Thomas from close range at 63:20 to complete the comeback and a deserved home win.

Phoenix have two home games next weekend, starting with the Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday night with a 7pm face-off followed by the Bracknell Bees on Sunday evening with a 6:30pm face-off.