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Phoenix take point from Devil of a tie

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Manchester Phoenix earned a crucial point in their quest for a playoff berth on Sunday night as they came back to draw one-one with the Cardiff Devils.

Phoenix dominated the first period and Devils Jason Cugnet was by far the busier of the two goalies facing 13 shots. He remained the busier in the second period too as Phoenix rained a further 14 shots on him, but it was the Devils who led at the second break courtesy of a powerplay goal from Dennis Maxwell in the 37th minute. Starting the third session with a two-man advantage, Phoenix drew level as captain George Awada equalised seconds after the Cardiff penalties expired, assisted by Mika Skytta and Rick Brebant. Both sides fought out a no quarter asked, no quarter given type game and in the end a point apiece was probably the right result.

Phoenix Head coach Paul Heavey remarked, “We put them under a lot of pressure tonight and their goalie was much the busier, so I am a little disappointed that we didn’t get the win we wanted. We had much the better chances, but our powerplay was not very effective and we have to address that for the remaining five games. We play Nottingham on Wednesday and that now takes on massive significance in view of the results this weekend and then Friday, we go to London again, where we would expect to take something from the game. It’s very tight for those final playoff places and we will have to work hard and play a bit smarter to get the points we need.”