Manchester Phoenix U18 vs Steel City Scorpions U18

Tuesday, 24th January 2012

Sunday 22nd January 2012.

A must win game today, we needed to turn around the previous result before Christmas against this opposition, we have a relatively full bench today with 1 missing with ENL and 1 injured.

Phoenix started the game very brightly then an early penalty after 1.57, would this be a sign of things to come?

Phoenix were dominating the game forcing shots by Sheldon, Ratty, Warren, Cade all of which were saved, this was starting to look like the last encounter against Steel City who have an outstanding netminder.

The first penalty to the visitors after 6.53 was followed very quickly by a goal for Phoenix after 7.00 a rifled shot by Evan McKinney saved but bounced to Scott Robson who slotted home for a 1-0 lead, Phoenix had a powerplay goal for a change.

The first altercation between players came after 8.34 in front of our net ending with penalties for both sides.

A Phoenix breakaway was saved soon after, followed by further shots by Lee, Luke, Scott all saved by the away netminder, yet again having a good game between the pipes.

A fine passing move involving Evan, Warren and Rob led to a shot tipped over after 15.02.

The next Phoenix penalty on 15.36 was given for roughing, followed quickly by a penalty to Steel City.

A flurry of shots after 18.50, the puck just wouldn’t go in the net, the period ended with a penalty to Phoenix again.

The 2nd period started with Phoenix on PK, an early save by Paddy kept our lead intact and as the penalty expired, Phoenix again stepped up the pressure forcing save after save.

Another fine passing move involving Mason and Scott ended with another save, Phoenix were dominating totally, penalties exchanged again for both sides, then after 32.17 a crucial 2nd goal to Phoenix, a tap-in by Lee Pollitt again assisted by Evan McKinney and a 2-0 lead to Phoenix.

During the next passage of play our captain, Mason, won some crucial defensive zone face-offs as Steel City pressed forward to try and get back into the game.

The last few minutes again had penalties for both sides in what was becoming a bad natured game, the period ended with our lead intact and 4v4 to start the final period.

A Phoenix breakaway in the first minute was again saved, then Paddy made a great save on a Steel City breakaway, the ensuing face-off after 41.05 was lost and a very quick slapshot nestled into the roof of our net, suddenly we were pegged back to 2-1.

Penalties again followed for both sides, then a mad scramble in front of the Steel City net after 42.07 and somehow the puck stayed out with bodies everywhere.

The opposition grew in confidence which coincided with an air of nervousness from the home side and home supporters, Paddy was called into saves as Steel City pressed the game for the first time and Paul called a timeout after 44.33 for Phoenix to re-group.

Phoenix again forced some shots by Lee, Bez, which were saved, then a fight erupted after 46.30, this had been boiling-up for a few minutes as the opposition sought to use stronger tactics to get back into the game, unfortunately, Phoenix obliged by getting drawn into battles on the ice, we were 4 v 5 now.

A breakaway followed for both sides, both just saved, it was end-to-end stuff now.

More Phoenix penalties followed, after 48.03 we were down to 3 v 5, the Phoenix penalty box was brimmed to overflowing and we were definitely up against it now.

The turning point then came after 48.30 as Scott raced away on a breakaway bearing down on the goal only to have his legs ripped out from under him by the chasing defender, the crowd jumped up with arms in the air, the referee crossed his arms above his head, he had given the correct call this time, a penalty shot.

Scott Robson dusted himself off, composed himself and strode up to the puck in centre ice, the crowd held their breath in anticipation, Scott advanced with the puck, the opposition netminder came out to meet him, Scott managed to squeeze the puck into the bottom right corner and the crowd celebrated a 3-1 lead, a fine finish under the pressure of the situation and this would prove to be a massive goal to Phoenix.

Phoenix played on for another minute 3 v 5, when we should have had 4 v 5, then after 50.43 another breakaway by Scott Robson this time the defender couldn’t catch him and a cool finish for his hat-trick goal gave Phoenix a 4-1 lead.

Phoenix now pressing forward and another goal followed after 51.44 scored by Evan McKinney after a great pass by Rob Cooke and the scoreline was suddenly comfortable at 5-1 the early nervousness now blown away.

The period ended again with a string of Phoenix penalties together with opposition penalties, it seems that half of this game has been played either on powerplay or penalty kill.

The game had ended with a resounding 5-1 win to Phoenix.

A much improved performance today, the scoreline could have been much better had we buried the chances we created, our confidence was tested in the 3rd period until the crucial penalty shot goal went in, but, penalties again are a problem at crucial times of the game.

We now have some tough away games at Whitley Bay, Billingham and Telford together with a home return against Nottingham to finish our campaign, hopefully we can take this spirit from the Coventry and Steel City games into the final challenges ahead, to finish as high up the table as possible.

The spirit of the game went to hat trick hero Scott Robson, there were also many other candidates today with fine performances by many players.

Shots on Goal 42 v 23 in favour of the Phoenix.