Phoenix make it 4 wins in a row

Sunday, 7th October 2012

MANCHESTER PHOENIX 2 - SLOUGH JETS 1 (OT)

Phoenix Scorers: James Archer and Michal Psurny

Manchester Phoenix eventually got the better of a stuffy Slough Jets team who set out their stall to frustrate the home side, hoping to hit Phoenix on the break.

This they managed to do with one of their first attacks with just 2.09 on the clock. Mindy Kieras played the puck out of defence to Slava Koulikov and the ex Phoenix forward played an inch perfect pass to Darius Pliskauskas who bore down on Stephen Fone before hitting an unstoppable shot off the post and into the net for 1-0. Slough shaded the rest of the period to take the one goal lead into the first break.

Slough had the most of the play in the second period even though the home side out-shot them 10-5. Both netminders were having good games and made some fine saves to keep the score at 1-0 to the visitors.

Phoenix had the better of the third period as Slough tired, feeling the effects of a tough game the previous evening, and were creating the better chances. With the crowd getting nervous, Phoenix finally made the break through with the equalising goal with just 2.43 left in the game. Robert Schnabel sent the puck out of defence to James Archer. Ladzi Harabin, the covering defender, slipped and fell, leaving Archer bearing down on Greg Rockman in the Jets’ goal and sending the home crowd wild with delight as he slipped the puck into the net.

Both teams had half chances to win the game but it was no surprise when the match went to overtime.

Phoenix were the stronger in the extra period and had three shots on Rockman’s goal before Michal Psurny took a pass from Tony Hand to score the winner and raise the roof off the Dome.

A tough result for Slough to take but Phoenix will take heart from their 4th win in a row going into tough back to back games against champions Guildford Flames.