Under-19's christen Ice Dome with a win

Sunday, 4th March 2007

Manchester Phoenix 6 - 3 Grimsby Blackhawks

The Manchester Phoenix Under-19 squad finally took to the ice in the new Altrincham Ice Dome on Saturday afternoon and overcame dogged opposition from Grimsby to record their first true home win of the season.

The Phoenix opened their home account with just 25 seconds on the clock - Alex Burgess netting the historic marker. Grimsby though fought back to level the game in a somewhat nervous and scrappy first period before a second marker saw them take a 2-1 lead into the first break.

Phoenix raised their game in the second session to equalise through Jake Nurse with the first of his personal brace only for Grimsby to regain the lead inside twenty seconds. Phoenix re-doubled their efforts and Jason Pirie drew them level as the home side finally began to get the upper hand. Grimsby though were battling hard and some dogged defence by the visitors from the east coast kept the Phoenix at bay and the sides were locked at three apiece going into the second interval.

The third period finally saw Phoenix take control and Grimsby were forced into some desperate defending. The breakthrough finally came in the 48th minute as James Pirie fired the Phoenix ahead for a lead they would not relinquish. The home side were now well on top and dominating the play but the insurance goals didn't arrive until the final six minutes. Jake Nurse bagged his second of the game and the Phoenix fifth, and two minutes later the first home win and two valuable points were wrapped up as Tom Hammond drove home the sixth with a powerful blast from the left wing.

The win lifted Phoenix into the top half of the Conference table, leapfrogging Grimsby. Sunday sees the Under-19's again in action as they take on a high-flying Solihull side at the Altrincham Ice Dome.

Period Scores: 1-2; 2-1; 3-0

SOG: 41 - 39 (8-13; 16-15; 17-11)

PIMs: 30 - 30

Manchester Scorers: Jake Nurse 2+0; Alex Burgess, James Pirie, Jason Pirie & Tom Hammond 1+1; Danny Berry & Josh Brownbill 0+1

Under-19's christen Ice Dome with a win

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