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Phoenix push Steelers all the way

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Manchester Phoenix pushed Elite League championship favourites Sheffield Steelers all the way on Saturday night before going down to a disputed goal late in the third period.

Phoenix played a very solid defensive road game and restricted the league leaders genuine goal scoring opportunities very effectively. Jayme Platt in the Phoenix goal performed magnificently as the Steelers strove to break the Phoenix resistance, but in the end the solitary goal that beat him not only looked offside, but took a wicked deflection to beat him on a 52nd minute powerplay.

Phoenix coach Paul Heavey commented, “The boys gave me a solid effort tonight against the best team in the country. We kept them to the outside and made them work for their shots on Jayme’s goal. We went in with a game plan and by and large we stuck to it very well. I felt we were unlucky to concede the goal in the fashion it came – I’d like to see the video because all our guys were convinced Sheffield were offside before the deflected shot. I thought we deserved a point, but if we can beat Basingstoke on Sunday and take four points from this three game weekend, we’ll be pleased.”

Phoenix have injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s ‘four-pointer’ against Basingstoke and Heavey added, “we have a couple of guys carrying knocks from these two games and we’ll check them out in the morning. I’d really like them all to be available because it’s another big game, but if we need to rest someone we will do. I’d rather have guys healthy for the run in than out with a long-term injury. Tonight’s game was played in playoff style and the guys need to know that the intensity will grow with each game.”