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Wood at the double as Phoenix move into second place

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Slough Jets 3 - 4 Manchester Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix produced once of their best road performances of the season on Saturday night as they gained a massive win over the Slough Jets and stretched their recent run of victories to four straight. Player coach Tony Hand may have picked up the Man of the Match award as the Phoenix leapfrogged over the Jets, but it was a brace of goals from the impressive Greg Wood that set them on the road to the points.

Phoenix travelled to the Hangar for the third and final visit of the regular season desperate to take something from the game and put pressure on both the Jets and Milton Keynes Lightning. A full strength Phoenix squad went into the game with a very definite game plan and looking to contain the Slough forwards and in particular line led by Blaz Emersic. A steady opening saw Slough enjoy more of the possession, but the Phoenix were defending well and providing a natural springboard for the counter-attacking strategy. Phoenix opened the scoring as Tony Hand and Robert Lachowicz combined for Greg Wood to fire home. A late delay of game penalty on Jaakko Hagelberg allowed the Jets the chance to equalise on the powerplay and Melichar duly obliged much to the annoyance of the Phoenix. But, undeterred they re-gained the lead with seconds of the re-start as sniper Ed Courtenay bagged his 41st goal of the season assisted by Andre Mattsson and Hand to take a 2-1 advantage into the first interval.

Phoenix came out strongly to start the second period and increased their lead in the 23rd minute as Lachowicz fed Adam Walker and he coolly slotted home for a 3-1 lead. The Jets were stunned and tried to hit back, but the Phoenix were cool in defence and attacking with intent. The earlier losses to the Jets were certainly motivating the visitors and they demonstrated their resolve in emphatic fashion going further ahead in the 28th minute, Greg Wood bagging his second of the game assisted by Lachowicz. Slough survived a Phoenix powerplay opportunity, but were unable to make any inroads against a well-marshalled and determined Phoenix rearguard and penalised themselves with just six seconds on the period, the Jets would face another powerplay to start the third session.

Slough survived the Phoenix man advantage to star the third period and then set about trying to get back into the game themselves. Phoenix continued to play well and were not being panicked into errors despite increasing Jets pressure. Another penalty against Hagelberg though presented the home side with a second powerplay goal, Watt scoring in the 52nd minute and giving the home side fresh hope of a recovery. The Jets were now turning up the heat and earned another goal as Poljacek netted with just over three minutes remaining to make it a one-goal game. But tonight, the Phoenix were in determined mood and despite a late effort by the home side, Tony Hand and his men were not to be denied and the final hooter heralded a victory that will sound a warning to the rest that the Phoenix are far from out of the title race.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand commented, "We came into the game knowing we had to win and everyone understood that. I felt that for forty minutes we were the more dominant side and the only real chances we gave them were on the powerplay. We defended well as a team tonight and our finishing was excellent. I've been looking for Greg (Wood) to score a few more goals and tonight his double was perfectly timed. This is a big win as it moves us back into second, we need to build on this tomorrow when we take on Guildford at home."