Phoenix U-16B 2 - 2 Grimsby Dynamos

Game 15 for the U-16B squad as the Phoenix welcomed the Grimsby Dynamos to the Silver Blades Ice Dome for the penultimate game of the season. With Shannon Lingwood benched, Grimsby iced two experienced players that were banned for the away game last September which Phoenix convincingly won 7-1. The young home squad team were coached by Dan Berry and Paul 'Nipper' Bayliss whilst regular coach Kev Cassidy was away this weekend.

Dynamos were quick to make their experience tell as Ryan Briggs gave them the lead inside three minutes. The visitors were first to the penalty box with Lines called for Interference and netminder Tharratt had to be alert to keep Jared Dickinson and Kieran Ferris at bay. A subsequent spell of 4-on-4 saw the goalies untroubled as the defences stayed calm. Phoenix drew level late in the session with a well-taken powerplay marker - Dynamos Beecham sitting in the box on a Roughing minor had to watch Harvey Treadgold make a smart pass to Jared Dickinson who roofed the puck from close range with Tharratt rooted to his goal line. A deserved equaliser and both teams went to the first interval tied at 1-1.

Phoenix needed their penalty killers working hard again early in the second session as they took two consecutive minors, and just past the 28-minute mark, the visitors took their second lead as Rutherford released Beecham to race in alone and he calmly beat Nicole Jackson for 1-2 at the second break.

The interval gave Danny Berry the chance to mix his lines up and the effect was immediately encouraging as the Phoenix began to boss the third period. The Dynamos replaced Tharratt with White between the pipes and the home side made sure the new 'keeper was kept busy. The home pressure eventually tolled and it was two of the U-14 sqwuad playing up who did the damage - Jared Dickinson finding Scott Robson and the latter coolly slotting home from close range in the 38th minute. Phoenix pushed hard for a winner that didn't come and would have been harsh on the visitors had it come.

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

Phoenix Stats: Jared Dickinson 1+1, Scott Robson 1+0, Harvey Treadgold 0+1
PIMs: 12-10
SOGs: On Phoenix 22, On Grimsby 24

Phoenix MVP: Chris Wells

A Phoenix spokesperson noted, "With a bit more maturity amongst the players, we could have easily been vying for a third place finish rather than sixth. Yet again the U-16B have tied another game, the only team in all junior leagues and ENL, north and south to have tied so many games, not bad though for a second team in that particular age group."