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Manchester Phoenix 3 - Milton Keynes Lightning 12

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Phoenix were humbled last night by the Lightning scoring machine. The beleaguered home defence was breached on 4.23 when a late, poor line change allowed Lewis Hook and Bobby Chamberlain to break down the middle and the latter swept the puck past a helpless Stephen Fone. An error just 62 seconds later allowed the ex Phoenix forward to double the score when he picked up a loose puck and beat the netminder high left.

This seemed to galvanise the home side and after a couple of good chances, made it 1-2 on 10.45. Robin Kovar found Luke Boothroyd on the blue line and with everyone expecting a shot, Luke sent the puck left of the crease where Edgars Bebris tipped the puck into the MK net. Phoenix equalised to the delight of the home crowd when on 13.39 Frankie Bakrlik sent a wayward pass cross ice which was pounced on by Robin Kovar and the big Czech went on to deke Odrobny and make it 2-2 with a short handed goal. Parity only lasted just over 2 minutes as Frankie made amends for his error by scoring a neat wrap around goal on 15.32.  Overall a good entertaining period of hockey with the home crowd anticipating more of the same in the second period.

It was not to be, though, and excellent forward play especially by the young Brit line of Chamberlain, Cownie and Hook delighted the big and noisy MK contingent. Goals at regular intervals by Milan Baranek, Chamberlain (hat trick), Lewis Hook and Bakrlik made the score 2-7 at the second interval.

More of the same as Phoenix legs tired and Hook ( 2 for his hat trick, Bakrlik( also 2 for his hat trick) and Milan Baranik with his second of the night made it 12 for Milton Keynes. Phoenix did score a consolation third in between the Lightning 11th and 12th when a neat foray down the ice by the top line of Malanik, Bebris and Kovar ended with Malinik finding the net.

Final score 12-3 and an impressive performance by Milton Keynes Lightning easily took the points back to Buckinghamshire.

A disappointed Coach Hand said after the game:

“A very disappointing weekend where we were second best to almost every puck. I’m not happy and changes will be made”

Phoenix are next in action on Sunday 20th November against Sheffield Steeldogs with the usual time of 1700h