Rampant Phoenix back on track

Saturday, 12th November 2011

Manchester Phoenix 9 - Telford Tigers 5

Manchester Phoenix scorers: Martin Cingel (3), Ladislav Harabin (2), James Archer, Ben Wood, Ciaran Long and Tom Duggan.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix were hit with another injury blow prior to the game with Stephen Wallace missing the game.

Phoenix came out meaning business and took the game to the Tigers right from the off. The home side had the large crowd off their seats at 4.49 when they took the lead. Martin Cingel took a lovely pass from Tom Duggan and blasted the puck past the netminder. The second assist went to Ladzi Harabin who, less than two minutes later, scored with a rocket shot, assisted by Juraj Faith and Slava Koulikov. The lead was increased to three with a neat shot by James Archer from a pass by Juraj Faith and second assist by Slava Koulikov.

Telford hit back on 13.35, Josh Bruce scoring, and it became a one goal game as Tom Soar scored from the left assisted by Calum Bowley. The period ended with a fourth Phoenix goal with utility man Ben Wood scoring, assisted by Tony Hand. An exciting and rewarding period for Phoenix who out shot their opponents 19-9.

Phoenix re-established their three goal lead at 23.22 with Ciaran Long blasting past the Telford nettie from the left face off circle. Phoenix jumped into a 6-2 lead 3 minutes later when Martin Cingel bagged his second of the night, Slava Koulikov getting an assist. The goals kept coming and Tom Duggan made it 7-2 and Martin Cingel scored his hat trick goal on 35.48 to make the score 8-2 at the end of the second period.

Telford changed goalies at the start of the third period and Declan Ryan replaced Greg Blais. The crowd went deathly quiet early in the third period when coach Hand took a puck on the ankle and limped off the ice. This didn’t quell the Phoenix offence and Ladzi Harabin scored his second of the night after Ryan Johnson hit the post.

Telford pulled a goal back on 46.23 through Joe Henry and made it 9-4 with Josh Bruce getting his second of the night. With just under 6 minutes left the Tigers scored again with a goal from Tomas Janek to make the final score 9-5.

Overall a good performance by Phoenix who will take confidence into the tough Sunday game against Guildford.

Coach Hand said after the game: “It was a good performance by the team tonight and nice to see a lot of the lads get among the goals. Telford are a hard working side but I felt we definitely had the upper hand tonight and deserved the points. This was an important result for us and gave us important cup points too. We will go to Guildford with confidence restored and will do our best to get a result.”