Solihull Sabres 0-0 Phoenix U-16B

Manchester Phoenix U-16B squad enjoyed the rare luxury of coach travel to an away game for an encounter with a team struggling to get some form. Both sides iced female netminders which itself is a rarity despite both Nicole Jackson and Maya Bhogal icing for the North of England Girls teams. Phoenix started the livelier team and forced the early plays although Kieran Ferris took a Tripping minor at 3:06. Phoenix easily dealt with the Sabres powerplay and forced a shorthanded effort through Shannon Lingwood. A 5-on-3 for Phoenix was equally well dealt with by Solihull with only two shots on goal, leaving Coach Cassidy fuming. As the first period drew to a close, Ryan Hulme took a 2+10 for checking to the head, but Phoenix killed the minor and went in all square at the break.

Coach Cassidy wasn't happy with the teams overall effort and demanded more intensity. As soon as the second period started, Phoenix took an Interference minor against Ferris and a 10-minute Misconduct against Lingwood. With two first liners out for a full ten minutes, Phoenix readjusted their lines to combat the Sabres offense. Crowe and Shaw went close for the home team, but Jackson held firm in the Phoenix goal.

Back at full strength Phoenix dominated the early play in the third period only to be thwarted by some resolute rearguard play from the home side. Bhogal was having a fine game in goal and giving up little in the way of rebounds. Jared Dickinson broke free midway through the period, but was denied by Bhogal. Scott Robson twice broke through the defensive clutches of the Sabres, but was unable to break the deadlock. Phoenix were awarded a very late powerplay opportunity, but again failed to take advantage and the final hooter saw a rare nil-nil draw recorded.

MVPs: Both netminders!