News

Vychodil blasts winner as Phoenix leave it late

Tweet

Phoenix 3 - 2 Vipers

Czech defenceman David Vychodil smashed home the game-winning goal on Tuesday night as Manchester Phoenix claimed their first home win in Altrincham Ice Dome.

Still missing the injured Ales Parez, Phoenix faced off against a Newcastle team on a five-game losing streak, desperate for points and starting with back-up netminder Mark Lee in goal. The opening exchanges saw Phoenix firing shots in on the young goalie who stood up well to the early pressure and gave his side the confidence to push forward themselves. After Vipers captain Jonathan Weaver had seen a shot cannon of the Phoenix goalframe, the home side finally made the breakthrough on a 13th minute powerplay as Adam Walker found space on the right to play an inch perfect cross ice pass for Derek Campbell to score at the back post. Late in the period, Vipers Rob Wilson missed a glorious chance to level the score and Phoenix went to the break breathing a sigh of relief.

Phoenix dominated the second period with Lee outstanding again as he made two excellent saves to deny Campbell twice on set-up passes from Johan Molin. The young Vipers netminder then made a double save to foil Adam Walker, but the young Scot kept the play alive and his pass to Campbell was relayed to the low slot for Phoenix player/coach Tony Hand to double the Phoenix lead just before the half-hour mark. Vipers again rallied and Jason Wolfe in the home goal made a number of saves to see the Phoenix to the second break with the two-goal lead intact.

The third period wasn't five minutes old when the momentum swung the Vipers way. A big hit by 6ft 5inch Brett Clouthier on Pavol Mihalik saw the smaller player crumple to the ice and Vipers Paul Ferone challenged Clouthier to fight. The resulting penalties saw Clouthier ejected from the game and the Vipers made the most of the ensuing powerplay opportunities as Jonathan Weaver danced in to reduce the arrears before blasting home an equaliser in the 49th minute. Phoenix were rattled and soaked up more Vipers pressure before the visitors ran into penalty trouble of their own. With David Longstaff and Jason Robinson both in the sin-bin, Phoenix made the extra space count and after a barrage of shots had been saved or went narrowly wide, Tony Hand fed David Vychodil on the blue line and the now trademark howitzer shot evaded the brave Lee in the Vipers goal at 55.56. Vipers threw everything at the Phoenix is a desperate attempt to force a draw but Phoenix held firm to record their first win in their new home arena and complete a six-game whitewash over the vipers in the regular season.

Phoenix coach Tony Hand noted, "That's a big two points for us as it gives us a three-point lead over the Vipers with a clutch of games in hand. We needed that to give us a lift after Sunday's loss and boost confidence ahead of the next four games in five nights."

Phoenix travel to Coventry on Wednesday for a 7.45pm face-off that doubles as the first leg of the semi-final of the Knockout Cup, before returning home on Thursday to face the Belfast Giants in Altrincham with face-off at 7.00pm.