News

Steeldogs bite the Phoenix

Tweet

Sheffield Steeldogs 8 - Manchester Phoenix 4

Phoenix scorers: Tony Hand, Michal Psurny, Ondrej Pozivil and Derek Campbell.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix were sent back over the hills with their tails between their legs after a comprehensive defeat by bitter rivals the Sheffield Steeldogs.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start, finding themselves three goals down after just 11 minutes. Goals from Greg Wood, Andrew Hirst and Edgars Bebris silenced the huge travelling support who were looking for their team to continue their good form. The Dogs were buoyant after their win in Basingstoke and dominated the early exchanges. Phoenix re-grouped and got themselves back into the game with two goals before the first interval. Tony Hand hit the net on 15:30, assisted by Joachim Flaten and Michal Psurny made it a one goal game just 78 seconds later, with assists going to Tom Duggan and Joachim Flaten. The shot count of 10 apiece showed what a competitive game it was.

Phoenix were looking to capitalise on their finish to the first period but things did not go their way and the Dogs restored their 2 goal lead with 21:04 on the clock as new import Lubomir Kohron scored, assisted by Danny Wood and Ben Morgan. Phoenix hit back once again five minutes later when Ondrej Pozivil continued his scoring streak, assisted by Tom Duggan and Michal Psurny. The game swung the Dogs’ way again on the half way mark when Danny Wood scored. Assists this time went to Korhon and Lee Haywood. Back came the Phoenix with an unassisted Derek Campbell goal but the Dogs rounded off another high scoring period with their sixth goal on 38:23 when Korhon netted a short hander for his second of the night.

The visitors were again hit with a goal early in the third period with an unassisted goal by Edgars Bebris on 46:47. Andrew Hirst hit his second and Dogs’ eighth with just over 8 minutes left and there was no way back for Phoenix

A deserved win for the home side against a lacklustre Phoenix who just could not get their game plan on track. They will be determined to bounce back in their home Sunday fixture against the Bees to keep pace at the top of the table.