Four point weekend for Phoenix

Sunday, 30th September 2012

MANCHESTER PHOENIX 5 - SWINDON WILDCATS 4

Phoenix scorers: Andrew McKinney, Scott McKenzie, Michal Psurny, Luke Boothroyd and Ciaran Long.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix made it two wins out of two this weekend with a thrilling 5-4 win over the Swindon Wildcats.

Phoenix were without Tom Duggan and Liam Chong, Swindon were missing Tom Murdy.

The first real chance of the game fell to Ciaran Long after 4.43. A minute later, Nicky Watt took umbrage at a good Archer hit and flew at him, dropping the gloves. A fair scrap ensued with Watt taking the honours and both men sitting out 2+2. Usually a fight win gives momentum to that team. Not this time, as Phoenix took the lead with Andy McKinney’s first goal for the club. His goal was assisted by Ciaran Long and Scott McKenzie. Swindon equalised four minutes later as Jonas Hoog latched on to a Phoenix turn over to skate in alone on Stephen Fone to score. The home side re-took the lead just 39 seconds later. James Archer cleared long out of defence to catch out the Swindon rearguard. Andy McKinney found Scott McKenzie who beat Dean Skinns for 2-1. Less than a minute later, the home fans were on their feet again as Michal Psurny scored to put Phoenix 3-1 up, assisted by Tony Hand. Phoenix were dominating but the Wildcats are made of stern stuff and they pulled a goal back just before the end of the period with a Perkkio goal. End of a thrilling 20 minutes and a home lead of 3-2.

Six minutes into the second period, Phoenix scored their fourth goal of the evening with a powerplay goal by Luke Boothroyd, assisted by Scott McKenzie. Less than two minutes later, it was 5-2 with an amazing Ciaran Long goal. The young forward jumped up like a basketball player to glove a high puck to the ground, dragged it forward a couple of feet and smashed a great shot past Dean Skinns to give Phoenix the three goal cushion. Swindon scored one of the best goals of the night with a short handed marker. Joe Baird played the puck out of defence to Lee Richardson who made the perfect pass for Aaron Nell to one time the biscuit past Stephen Fone. The period ended with Ciaran Long sitting out a 2+10 for a check to the head. End of the second, 5-3 to Phoenix.

The third period saw some fine end to end play and Swindon having their best spell of the match. The Wildcats pulled another goal back after 51.51 as Nicky Watt scored, assisted by Perkkia and Moore. James Archer hit the pipes a minute later as Phoenix weathered the storm, looking for the insurance goal. Three minutes left and a lovely move involving Pozivil, Hand and Flaten almost managed that insurance marker as Phoenix dominated a two minute power play. Phoenix were called for too many men on 57.55 but looked to have scored a short hander only to have it washed out by referee Joy Tottman. Swindon pulled Dean Skinns for the last 24 seconds but Phoenix held out for a well deserved, but nervy 5-4 win.
Man of the match for Phoenix went to Scott McKenzie with Matias Perkkio given the away team award.

A great weekend for Phoenix and 4 points, moving them up the table and closer to the leading pack. Next week, Phoenix take on the free scoring Slough Jets at the Ice Dome on Sunday 7th October, face off 1730hrs.