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Proud Phoenix miss out on Finals weekend

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Phoenix 2 - 1 Devils - Devils win 4-3 on aggregate

After a season of travelling, three home ice venues and a tortuous final six weeks to the season, Manchester Phoenix somehow summoned up their absolute best on Sunday as they were cruelly denied a place in the showpiece Playoff Finals weekend.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Cardiff on Saturday, Phoenix knew exactly what they had to do to make it to Nottingham for the final weekend and they set about their job in confident manner reducing the arrears inside five minutes with Brett Clouthier scoring in a goalmouth scramble assisted by KC Timmons. The packed Altrincham Ice Dome erupted as they sensed the Phoenix were on their way.

The Devils fought back and outshot the hosts but found Phoenix Jason Wolfe at his very best with a string of fine saves. Osaer in the Cardiff net was equally impressive as he kept the Phoenix forwards at bay until midway through the second period. With Phoenix having killed off two successive Delay of Game penalties, they tied the aggregate score at 3-3 as a pass from Adam Walker was superbly despatched into the top corner of the Devils net by Derek Campbell. The tide was truly turning the Phoenix way as the Devils appeared shaken by the goal.

The final period saw both sides go for the win as after two intense games, neither team wanted to go into overtime. Phoenix were seemingly getting on top as the game entered its closing stages only for a hotly-contested penalty against KC Timmons to give the Devils a powerplay opportunity that was to prove decisive. Tyson Teplitsky fired a shot from the left flank and Devils captain Brad Voth - who had tallied twice in Cardiff on Saturday - was the man on the spot to get another telling deflection that Jason Wolfe could only parry, allowing the Devils captain the chance to mop up the rebound and break the Phoenix hearts.

Phoenix pulled the goalie for the extra skater with over a minute to play, but the Devils held firm and it is they who will go to Nottingham next weekend while Phoenix will reflect on having played so well, to come so close, to lose out so narrowly.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand commented, "my guys played unbelievably well tonight, I couldn't have asked for anything more. I thought we dominated them for long periods and going into the final session, I thought there was only one team going to win it. But, the call on KC proved all-important and to say the least I was disappointed with that decision. My guys can be very proud of their efforts this season. We've had it as tough as any season I can remember and to come so close and go out that way is tough for them to swallow right now. I've told them they should hold their heads high, they did me and the club proud and I'm grateful to each and every one for the season they've given us."

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