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Phoenix corral the herd

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Basingstoke Bison 2 - Manchester Phoenix 5

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix made the long trip down to Basingstoke minus their two import D-men, Jaroslav Spelda and Ladislav Harabin. New boy John Connolly, wearing number 87, took his place on the blue line.

In an end to end first period the score finished 0-0 with the outstanding Stephen Fone keeping the Bison at bay. A very good defensive first period by Phoenix. The shot count of 10-4 in Bison’s favour was indicative of their play.

Much of the same in the second period with Foney keeping the puck out of his net. Phoenix took the lead on 26:03 when Tony Hand got on the end of a neat breakout to score. Assists went to Ciaran Long and Josh Ward. Bison equalised on the powerplay at 30:56 with Josh Ward receiving 2 minutes for interference. Player coach Steve Moria was free on the right to smash home a pass from Marcel Volrab. Branislav Petran was accredited with the second assist. Phoenix hit penalty trouble again near the end of the period with Josh once more sitting out, this time for slashing. Phoenix held firm and went into the second break with the score tied at 1-1.

One minute thirteen seconds into the third period and the Bison went 2-1 up when Steve Moria bagged his second of the night. Phoenix hit back immediately and equalised through Martin Cingel with assists to Ciaran Long and Ben Wood. James Archer put Phoenix in front on 45:17 and martin Cingel scored his second of the night after a howler by Bison goalie Dean Skins. The home side had a goal washed out for a kick into the net and Juraj Faith rounded off an excellent win for Phoenix with an empty netter in the last second of the game.

Overall an excellent performance by Phoenix and the bus will be a happy place on the long journey home. Man of the match awards went to Stephen Fone for Phoenix and Liam Chong for Bison.