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Missed chances cost Phoenix

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Manchester Phoenix fell to a 5-1 home defeat to the Swindon Wildcats on Sunday night, and were left to rue a host of missed chances throughout the game.

Swindon got on the scoreboard early on as Toms Rutkis pounced on a loose puck to fire home at 4:18.  It was the visitors who dominated the opening period as Steve Fone faced 18 shots, however it was Phoenix who should have levelled on the powerplay as Robin Kovar set up Marek Indra but his shot went under Stevie Lyle and came back off the post.  Phoenix were punished as a perfectly set up two-on-one saw Jonas Hoog find Aaron Nell at 18:11 to make it 2-0.

Swindon’s lead was soon extended as Fone kept out Tomasz Malasinski only for Jan Kostal to tap into an empty net at 20:56.  The second period was completely dominated by Phoenix who registered 19 shots and finally got their reward as Jakub Langhammer found the top corner on the powerplay.  Phoenix continued to create chances and both Kovar and Indra were denied from close in, but Swindon grabbed the killer goal as Rutkis pounced on a rebound to grab his second of the night at 36:22.

The final period saw Phoenix’s short bench begin to tire as chances were at a premium however there was still time for Kostal to bag his second of the night at 50:32 with a well-taken goal.

Phoenix are at home next Sunday evening against the Guildford Flames, with a 5pm face-off in Blackpool.