Bradford U-12 v Manchester Phoenix U-12

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Bradford 10 - 2 Manchester Phoenix

A visit to the upstairs rink in Bradford is always a tough game and as well as expected, that's exactly how this Under 12's encounter panned out.

Joe Murphy started between the pipes for the Phoenix youngsters and he was to see plenty of action as the home side set about their version of the War of the Roses as though they hadn't been fed for a week or two. Phoenix didn't make the most of an early powerplay opportunity and this was crucial as the home side bounced back to take the opening session on markers from Brown in the eleventh minute and Boydon barely 26 seconds later.

The second period saw Bradford take total control of the game as they added five further goals with only one coming back in favour of the Phoenix. Ritchie increased the home lead in the 17th minute, but Phoenix hit back as Sophie Reeks paved the way for Oliver Gillespie to open the visitors account less than a minute later. Phoenix then ran into penalty trouble as first James Soens (Boarding), Conor Howard (Roughing) and Michael Sergienko (Slashing a Misconduct Major) all spent time in solitary confinement. Bradford added a powerplay goal through Baldwin in the 24th minute, before they too drew a (Slashing) penalty on Marsden. With both teams icing a player short, Bradford went on to add two goals in a 34 second spell in the 26th minute; Baldwin assisted by Brown and Brown unassisted. Boyden for Crosschecking gave Phoenix another powerplay, but calamity struck as Baldwin completed his hat-trick with a shorthanded effort.

Trailing by six, the Phoenix could have been forgiven had they let their heads drop, but they stuck to their task admirably in the third period, reducing the arrears in the 35th minute as Sophie Reeks and Oliver Gillespie were the providers for Max Howard to score. Briadford responded less than a minute later with Brown claiming his third of the game. with James Soens in the sin-bin for Boarding, Baldwin bagged his fourth with an unassisted powerplay marker and the home side wrapped up a double-figure score as Brown assisted Thornton in the 43rd minute.

A Phoenix spokeslady noted, "We knew today's game was going to be a tough one and the final score showed it. However, the team played their hardest and kept trying right to the end."

Game Statistics:

Period Scores 2-0, 5-1, 3-1

Total PM Bradford 6; Manchester 18

Phoenix scoring: Oliver Gillespie 1+1; Max Howard 1+0; Sophie Reeks 0+2

Goalie Stats – Joe Murphy 10/40

Phoenix MVP - James Soens