Under 14s give Whitley Bay a fright

Sunday, 29th April 2007

Phoenix U-14s 3 - 3 Whitley Bay Mohawks

Whitley Bay Mohawks arrived in Altrincham on Saturday confirmed as league champions with a 100% winning record, but a magnificent performance from the Phoenix de-railed their hopes of a perfect season.

Right from the start, the Phoenix tore at their opponents and Joe Harley in the Mohawks net made two smart saves inside the opening twenty seconds. Phoenix were rampant and opened the scoring in the second minute as Harvey Tredgold fired a terrific shot from the right circle that went in off the post. Phoenix continued to dominate proceeding, but the Mohawks put up stiff resistance and counter-attacked with menace. Phoenix doubled their lead in the 13th minute with Paul Swindlehurst firing home on a powerplay assisted by Tredgold.

The first interval gave the visitors a chance to re-group and they came out stronger in the second period reducing the arrears in the 19th minute through a fortuitous close range finish from Kristian Johnson. Phoenix were still having more of the play, but Harley in the Mohawks goal was in fine form making a string of impressive saves that boosted his teams confidence.

In the third period, the pace the Phoenix had played at for 30 minutes began to catch up with them and the Mohawks slowly began to turn the tide. They tied the score in the 39th minute when Canadian born Adam Perrie netted from close range. The Mohawks could sense a 15th straight victory began to pour forward and Phoenix hearts sank as with less than four minutes to play, Jordan Barnes edged the visitors in front. But, the Mohawks celebrations were quickly stifled as the Phoenix refused to buckle and inside a minute were level as Ryan Hulme blasted home the equalising goal from the right wing.

A Phoenix spokesperson noted, "That was a terrific game of hockey. Whitley are a tremendous team and deserved champions. But, our guys were determined today not to be another notch on their stickshafts. We played hard and got everything we deserved and had it not been for some excellent goaltending from Harley, who knows, we could have won the game. Even so, we're the only team to take a point off them all season and the only team to score three goals past them in one game too. We're delighted as this will boost our confidence going into the playoffs."

Under 14s give Whitley Bay a fright

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