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Phoenix Under 19's run Solihull close
Phoenix 3 - 4 Knights
Manchester Phoenix Under-19s came up against the high-flying Solihull Knights on Sunday afternoon and were unlucky to lose out by the odd goal in seven.
Fresh from their win over the Grimsby Blackhawks on Saturday, the Phoenix set about the Knights from the first face-off and a brace of powerplay goals from John Murray in the 14th and final minute of the period saw the home side in control at the first interval.
However, the break in play served the visitors the better and they justified their higher league position by hitting the Phoenix with three goals in the opening eight minutes of the second period. More alarmingly for the Phoenix was the indiscipline that saw the first Knights goal come on a delayed penalty while the second and third were both powerplay markers. Phoenix showed great determination to respond almost immediately to tie the game as captain Alec Burgess scored assisted by Jake Nurse and Murray.
Solihull came out hard to start the third period and Adam Summerfield in the Phoenix goal was called up to make a number of high class saves. But, even his resistance wasn't enough as with Dan Berry in the penalty box, the Knights scored their third powerplay goal of the afternoon in the 44th minute. Phoenix tried hard to respond and Mervyn Tasker in the Knights goal did well to foil Hannah Beaumont with an excellent save before Phoenix ran in penalty trouble. John Murray drew a 2+10 minute penalty and shortly afterwards, Joe Mann was dismissed on a Match Penalty for Roughing. A superb solo break by Jake Nurse drew another good stop from Tasker, and with time running out, Phoenix pulled their goalie and were lucky not to concede an empty-netter as the Knights shot on the unguarded goal hit a post and went to safety.
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Phoenix Under-14 squad travelled to the northeast and a tough away game in Whitley Bay. Despite a 7-1 score line in favour of the home side, a Phoenix spokesman noted, "Whilst it might not appear a good result, we take heart from what was a better result than some expected. Whitley Bay is a tough rink to play in and the 14s will gain a lot from the experience."