Phoenix U16B 4 - 1 Solihull Sabres

With both teams having fought out a rare 0-0 stalemate in Solihull two weeks ago, and with many line-up changes, the odds were against that score line being repeated.

Sabres iced starting netminder Young after a two game ban, plus Larose and Larkin - from their table-topping U-14 team - a pairing who have amassed 84 points between them so far this season. Phoenix on the other hand were without three of their top four points scorers, Jared Dickinson in Latvia with Team England, Scott Robson in France with the Northern Conference and Harvey Treadgold on a school skiing trip with line mate Taylor Danson.

Coach Kevin Cassidy opted to go with three lines of forwards and two lines of defence against a more experienced Solihull team. Knowing that the odds looked more in favour of the Sabres, the coach had the team focussed on the job ahead, playing quick shifts and icing all three forward lines. Phoenix made the early plays around the Sabres net only for Young to deny the home team from taking a first minute lead.

Sabres dumped the puck for Astley to chase into the corner, but Sarah Hutchinson got puck side of the player only to be tripped and collided feet first with the boards with no penalty called. Phoenix played the next few shifts with just three defencemen whilst Hutchinson recovered from the collision. Phoenix contunued to make most of running with both first and second lines dominating the Midlands team. At 9:09 Jake O'Connor was called for Interference on Larkin and Solihull used the powerplay to mount several attacks, but Nicole Jackson held firm in the Phoenix goal as the home team killed off the penalty. Back to full strength and Phoenix forced the opening goal, with first line winger Jake O'Connor making an impressive forecheck in the Sabres corner, second liners Ollie Townsend and Tom Wilkinson combined around the net for Tom to score with great accuracy past Young at the far post at 11:44. Solihull responded forcing Jackson into action making some crucial saves. With the clock ticking down, Townsend and Wilkinson again linked superbly for Tom to grab his second goal of the game at 14:56 and send the home team to the first break with a nice lead.

Sabres began the second period the livelier of the two teams and again had Phoenix on the back foot. At 17:29 referee Liversage adjudged Jack Twist for Sabres a High Sticking minor. On the powerplay Phoenix extended their lead as Sarah Hutchinson skated the puck out of defence and made a timely pass to captain Shannon Lingwood on the blue line to skate into mid ice, avoid a Sabres challenge and neatly bury the puck past Young for 3-0. The game was being played at a good pace and both teams had plenty of chances to score, but it was Phoenix who continued in the ascendency by adding a fourth goal at 24:41. With the second line forwards working hard around the Sabres net, Luke Smith forced the puck back to Bobby Streetly on the blue line to send a low hard shot into the corner of the net. Immediately netminder Young left the ice to be replaced by Maya Bhogal who had played so well for a shutout in the previous game. Sabres stepped up their game for the remaining five minutes of the second period, but again the home defence stood firm.

After an ice cut at the second break, the home team came out a bit rusty and struggled to get into the game for the first few minutes. With Streetly binned for Elbows at 36:29, Solihull made the man advantage count and break their duck with Larose netting. Bhogal in the Sabres goal again showed excellent form in keeping the Phoenix forwards at bay and for the second game in succession, she recorded a clean sheet for her efforts. Phoenix disappointingly ended the game in penalty trouble and spent the final four minutes on the penalty kill with O'Connor, Lingwood and Ferris cramped in the box.

A Phoenix spokesperson commented, "Overall, this was a great result with an enthusiastic, passionate team effort from the whole team. Picking the MVP was a difficult choice, but Jake O'Connor received the award for his 100% commitment and determination."

Period scores: 2-0, 2-0, 0-1

Phoenix Stats: Tom Wilkinson 2+0; Shannon Lingwood 1+0; Bobby Streetly 1+0; Ollie Townsend 0+2; Jake O'Connor 0+1; Sarah Hutchinson 0+1; Luke Smith 0+1

PIM: 14-10

SOG: On Phoenix 27/1; On Solihull 17/4