Phoenix U-16A Find Form Against Cougars

Monday, 7th January 2008

Phoenix U-16A 1 – 4 Nottingham Cougars

The Phoenix U-16A squad turned in a much improved performance against runaway league leaders Nottingham Cougars last Sunday. Still smarting from their comprehensive pre-Christmas defeat at the National Ice Centre, Phoenix showed an impressive determination from the first whistle. The fast-paced opening period was a free-flowing, entertaining exhibition of end-to-end hockey. Manchester matched their opponents without succumbing to the breakaways that had marred their previous encounter and against the expectations of many, Phoenix outshot Cougars two to one. As the first break approached there seemed a real prospect that Phoenix would head for the dressing room on equal terms. However, a turnover in their own defensive zone with less than twenty seconds left put paid to the home side’s optimism as Thomas Soar fed Josh Ward to put Nottingham’s noses in front.

Cougars doubled their lead early in the middle spell when, with the ref’s hand held aloft William Weldon planted the puck behind Bob Browne to score on a delayed penalty. It seemed that, for Nottingham, ‘normal service’ might have been resumed, but clearly someone had forgotten to tell the Phoenix squad. Growing in confidence, the team pushed up the ice repeatedly in an evenly contested spell and not until the 29th minute did the penalty boxes receive their first visitor. This honour fell to Cougars’ Declan O’Mara, ensuring that Phoenix would open the final period on the powerplay.

The home side duly took full advantage, Ryan Pike slotting home Jack Sweet’s feed to fire Phoenix back into contention seconds into the third. Suddenly it all looked possible. With fourteen minutes left to play and only a goal separating the sides, Manchester’s self-belief was palpable. Despite playing with ever greater urgency, Phoenix hopes were cruelly dashed seven minutes later, as, with Jordan Bannon in the box, Soar and Weldon combined to strike Cougars’ third. Ryan Pike and Nottingham’s Matt Greaves traded two minute minors and with a minute to go Phoenix pulled their netminder in a last ditch attempt to claw their way back, but to no avail. A rink length clearance from Nottingham’s Thomas Jeffery into the empty net was enough to seal the visitors’ victory.

Phoenix can take considerable encouragement from this performance. Despite ultimately dropping the decision, their team spirit, determination and commitment suggest there will be plenty more victories awaiting the squad as the New Year unfolds.

Phoenix Stats.

Ryan Pike 1+0; Jack Sweet 0+1

Bob Browne 23 / 3

Phoenix MVP - Marc Etherington

Phoenix U-16A Find Form Against Cougars

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