King Rules Phoenix

Saturday, 16th February 2008

Bradford 4 - 2 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix travelled south to Bradford, Ontario on day five of their tour for what has become a regular stop-off on the annual pilgrimage for Altrincham based players. Last April a Bradford side flew east to the UK to cement the relationship, so there were plenty of familiar faces at the Bob Fallis Arena for the game against a local league minor midget side.

The secret weapon in Bradford's armoury for this match up was the O'Hara family. As old friends of the tour, they invited the squad and their families for a full meal before the game. This generous gesture also ensured Phoenix were at least two strides slower than the home outfit. And it showed. After the first five minutes, which Manchester dominated without scoring, the visitors began to look ragged and off the pace. The crispness of previous games deserted them as they muddled through centre ice. Taking full advantage, Bradford's Eric King fired in the unassisted opener at 6'09" which was an omen for what was to come. Nicole Jackson in the Phoenix net did well to turn aside a series of breakaways from the fast Bradford top line. Phoenix too had plenty of chances, but were guilty of making one too many passes in front of net when more ambition might have helped them level before the first break.

After a ten-minute stalemate in the middle spell Oli Bayne converted from Tom Hammond to earn a long overdue equaliser. The visitors' relief lasted just twenty seconds before the ever-eager King stick handled his way to Bradford's second. As if in video replay mode, King promptly repeated the move a minute later to put Bradford 3-1 ahead. Concerted pressure on the home net followed with the impressive Will Harding denying the Phoenix attack until Alfie Olinski found Ben Brown to send the puck upstairs over the goalie's shoulder, reducing the deficit.

Through the week Manchester have developed a reputation as the come-back kings, going behind early only to re-emerge later in the game. At Bradford it wasn't to be. With two minutes left, and against the run of play, it was the home side's Eric King who came back to haunt the Phoenix defence with his, and Bradford's, fourth to make the game safe.

Many thanks go out to the Bradford organisation and the O'Hara family for all their help in setting up the day.

Stats: Oli Bayne 1+0, Ben Brown 1+0, Tom Hammond 0+1, Alfie Olinski 0+1

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