Honours Even in Innisfil

Thursday, 14th February 2008

Innisfil Winterhawks 4-4 Manchester Phoenix

Day Three of the Manchester Phoenix U-16 Canadian tour found the squad in the brand new twin-pad complex at Innisfil, south of Barrie. The multi-use centre is yet to be finished, but Canadians have their priorities right and the two rinks are the first facilities to have been pressed into use. The Phoenix squad of 12 skated out onto the novel design 'sunken' pad to face a 19-man Innisfill Winterhawks team.

Phoenix survived an early Interference penalty against Ryan Hulme in an end-to-end opening period. Despite outshooting their hosts, Manchester were repeatedly denied by some excellent netminding from the Innisfil 'keeper. With Winterhawks' McGee and Meunier in the box for High Sticking and Boarding penalties respectively, Phoenix laid siege to the home net during a 5-on-3 advantage but to no avail. At the other end Nicole Jackson repelled everything that Innisfil threw her way to keep the game scoreless at the end of the first.

In their most demanding game to date, Phoenix conceded a physical size advantage to Innisfil, and, as Ryan Pike discoverd to his cost, it was possible to bounce quite a long way off selected opponents. The deadlock was broken at 23'40" as Bingham netted for Winterhawks and a minute later they doubled their lead on the powerplay with a strike from Heighington.

With a lead that didn't reflect the balance of play, Innisfil opened the third session looking to consolidate their position. However, Phoenix were made of sterner stuff and Ryan Pike foiled the home defence with a mazy skate through centre ice capped by a clinical finish into the bottom right corner of the Innisfil net. Phoenix relief was however short-lived. Innisfil powered up the ice direct from the restart to restore their two-goal cushion thanks to a marker from Sprong, with Farr adding another just thirty seconds later.

At 4-1 down with nine minutes left on the clock, Phoenix must take full credit for a determined fightback. With Ryan Hulme and Sarah Hutchinson increasing in confidence at the back, the visitors pushed forward. Tom Hammond's pass found Oli Bayne who buried Manchester's second at 37'15". Alfie Olinski went close twice in quick succession, but with Innisfil's Sprong in the box for Tripping, it was Jared Dickinson connecting with Elliot Bayne who put Phoenix within touching distance at 39'48". In an exciting last few minutes continued Phoenix pressure left them exposed to a decisive breakaway, but with ninety seconds to go a close-range tip-in by Ben Brown levelled the scores to ensure the tourists shared the spoils at the final hooter.

Stats: Ryan Pike 1+1, Oli Bayne 1+0, Ben Brown 1+0, Jared Dickinson 1+0, Elliott Bayne 0+1, Tom Hammond 0+1.

Phoenix Man of the Match - Ryan Pike

Honours Even in Innisfil

Related read

Share this article