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Phoenix take the sting out of the Bees

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Manchester Phoenix 5 - Bracknell Bees 3

Scorers: Juraj Faith (2) Stephen Wallace, Slava Koulikov and Tom Duggan

Blistering start for Phoenix and they took the lead with only 1.04 on the clock as Juraj Faith scored from just inside the blue line. Assists went to Martin Cingel and Tony Hand. Bees equalised 2 minutes later with a neat shot from Shaun Thompson. With just under 6 minutes played Stephen Wallace scored from left of the goal to make it 3-1 and a Slava Koulikov unassisted goal on 16.02 put the rampant home side 3-1 up going into the first break.

Phoenix started where they left off and a second goal of the night to Juraj Faith gave them a three goal lead, this time assisted by Tony Hand. Bees are a team that never give up and pulled a goal back on 31.06 through Peter Jasik. Nerves started to jangle when Lukas Smital made it 4-3 on 33.17. Phoenix steadied the ship and went into the second break with a 4-3 lead.

Only one goal in the third period and it went to Phoenix. Lovely combination play between Ciaran Long and Tom Duggan ended with a sweet pass from Ciaran to Tom who slid the puck past Carl Ambler for the insurance goal and a 5-3 lead. No further goals but an altercation with 6 minutes left had the home crowd incensed. Harabin was pulled on a kneeing call but was jumped by Bradley Watchorn and took a few punches whilst unable to defend himself. Referee Brown gave the Bees player a match penalty for roughing and Phoenix saw out the game for a welcome 2 points.

Man of the match awards went to Juraj Faith for Phoenix and Lukas Smital for the Bees.

Coach Hand was delighted with the win and said after the game: “I thought we dominated tonight and it was good to see us only let 18 shots on Foney. It means we have tightened up and things are starting to come together. I thought the lads played very well tonight and all three lines scored goals. Bees are a much improved team from last season and it was good to put in a performance against them.”