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Phoenix left with work to do

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Devils 3 - 1 Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix know they have to win by a three goal margin on Sunday night in the Altrincham Ice Dome if they are to qualify for the Playoff Finals weekend in Nottingham.

Their quarterfinal first leg in Cardiff was played at an breathtaking pace with some big hitting from both teams and no quarter asked nor received. Devils opened the scoring in the 5th minute as a shot from the right wing from Lukas Komarek hit Simon Mangos and fell onto the edge of the crease where Devils captain Brad Voth reacted quickly to backhand the puck past Jason Wolfe. Phoenix drew level on a powerplay at 14.55 as Anthony Battaglia found KC Timmons in space and he crashed a shot from the right wing past Phil Osaer in the Devils goal. The teams seemed destined for a tied score at the first break, but the home side edged back in front in the final minute of the session as Russ Cowley snapped a shot from the left wing to complete a lightning fast break from defence by the Devils.

The deciding moment of the tie came early in the second period as Cardiff established a two-goal lead as Brad Voth parked his big frame on the edge of the Phoenix goalcrease to bag his second of the game neatly deflecting a Max Birbraer shot into the net. Phoenix were unlucky not to reduce the arrears when Tony Hand broke away only to see his shot beat Osaer in the home goal, but ping to safety off the outside of the post.

Phoenix battled hard throughout the rest of the second and third periods, but found Osaer in outstanding form and they will know they have to find a way to breach his defence in the second leg to keep their season alive.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand noted, "that was a tough game as Cardiff rolled three strong lines at us all night and they play with a lot of energy. We competed well and their goalie made some big saves, we just have to be more clinical in front of goal on Sunday. The tie is far from over and we know exactly what we have to do to progress."