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Steeldogs vs Phoenix

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Sheffield Steeldogs 2 - Manchester Phoenix 1.

Manchester Phoenix scorer: Juraj Faith.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix made their final regular season visit to Ice Sheffield to take on the surprise team of the season, Sheffield Steeldogs. Phoenix welcomed back Jaroslav Spelda but Slava Koulikov was still out.

Phoenix went a goal down after 65 seconds when they failed to react quickly enough to the puck coming off the post and Harabin unfortunately put the puck past Stephen Fone but, as Ozolins was the last Steeldog to touch the puck, he was awarded his 50th goal of the season. In a period in which Phoenix struggled to contain the fast breaking Dogs attack they looked to have weathered the storm but fell 2-0 behind when Berbris scored after a tussle in front of goal. End of the first period and 2-0 to the home side.

Phoenix came out hard in the second and got themselves back in the game at 21.38 when Juraj Faith reacted first to a rebound from a Tony Hand shot. Phoenix went on to have their best phase of the match and camped in the Dogs’ defensive zone but could not find a way past Ben Bowns. James Archer thought he had scored but the Dogs’ netminder brought off a remarkable stop to deny him. In a rare Sheffield attack, they hit the pipes and the period ended 2-1 to Sheffield with all to play for in the third.

The visitors made a good start to the third period but the Steeldogs always looked dangerous on the break. After one such play, Stephen Fone was slashed and Ryan Johnson came to his netminder’s defence and took on Andre Payette. Payette threw all the punches but none connected and Ryan got the takedown. Payette sat 2 minutes for the slash and 4 for the fight. Ryan earned himself 4 minutes for the fight. Phoenix continued to press but the excellent Steeldogs’ rearguard stood firm in front of the outstanding Ben Bowns and they held out for a vital win. Final score 2-1 to the Dogs.

Phoenix will now regroup for another vital game on Sunday against the Slough Jets.