Manchester Phoenix ENL 2 - 2 Bradford Bulldogs - Juniors

Manchester Phoenix ENL 2 - 2 Bradford Bulldogs

Monday, 18th February 2008

Saturday 16 February, 2008

The final game of the ENL team's first season and the team and their faithful followers were hoping to end the season with a victory and set out for next weekend's trip to Ottawa as a winning team. Despite a shot dominance and a seeming territorial advantage by the Phoenix, Bradford led by two power-play goals to nil to within seven minutes of the end of the game. Phoenix took closer order around Jonny Brown's net and managed to draw the game despite some stalwart defending by the Bradford team.

Both teams started in confident fashion and both defences killed early penalty infringements. Bradford though were to make the most of their second powerplay opportunity as Josh Stockton netted the opening goal in the seventh minute flipping the puck past Mark Law in the home goal. Phoenix worked their way into contention and only the agility and awareness of Bulldogs goalie Jon Brown denied Brian Worrall, Russ Richardson and then Tom King the equalising goal. Both sides then spurned two-man powerplay chances and Bradford took their slender lead into the first break.

Phoenix started the second period strongly and went on to dominate the session outshooting the 'Dogs 28-8, but with no joy on the scoreboard as Brown in the visitors net was producing an excellent display between the pipes particularly when Bradford successfully defended another 5-on-3 Phoenix powerplay opportunity.

Bradford having learned from their earlier errors in drawing penalties started the third period in disciplined fashion, whereas the Phoenix failed to heed the warnings. Bradford extended their lead on a 49th minute powerplay and they looked to have the upper hand heading into the final ten minutes. Undaunted, Phoenix re-doubled their efforts and they finally broke the shutout of Brown in the Bradford goal as Jamie Rogerson netted from close range in the 54th minute assisted by Richardson and Danny Binns. Phoenix were now visibly boosted and inside the final two minutes it was Richardson, collecting a rebound, who tied the score at two apiece. Phoenix strained for the game-winner, but it was not to be and the tied result was largely down to the excellent Bradford MVP performance of goalie Jonny Brown who saved 61 of the 63 shots he faced.

A Phoenix spokesman said, "We could have lost momentum when Bradford's second goal went in. It's a tribute to the team that they knuckled down a kept going and got the draw. Once again we showed a character that indicates how far we have come since last August when this team first came together. We are in good shape for next year. Some of the Under-18s will be out of age next year and have already shown that they are perfectly capable of holding their own in this league. I foresee a different start to next season and, with that, we should be looking for a play-off place rather than trying to climb up the table."

Paul Beaumont, the Phoenix ENL Manager commented, "I would like to thank everyone who has helped make the season a success. The rink staff, parents, friends and girl-friends for all their unstinting efforts and support without which any game could not, and would not, happen."

An ENL team member responded saying, "The team wishes to thank Paul, coaches Paul 'Nipper' Bayliss and Mark 'Hobbo' Hobson for all their encouragement and largely unsung and unseen work, without which NONE of this would have happened!"

Also, those going to Ottawa would like to thank Lynne Costelloe for all her work in organising what promises to be a really great trip this coming weekend. Watch the site for a report on the time on Canada.

Man of the match for Phoenix: Russ Richardson

Period Scores: 0-1, 0-0, 2-0.

Shots on Goal: 10-16, 8-28, 11-19 Total: 28-63 (Shots on Phoenix first)

Phoenix Stats: Russ Richardson 1+1, Jamie Rogerson 1+0, Danny Binns 0+1

Nets: Mark Law 28/2 (92.86%)

Manchester Phoenix ENL 2 - 2 Bradford Bulldogs

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