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Phoenix in the Dog Pound

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Manchester Phoenix 1 - Sheffield Steeldogs 4

The J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix started the stronger and put a lot of pressure on goalie Ben Bowns. But it was the Steeldogs who took the lead on 3:27 with a goal right out of last season’s locker room as Greg Wood scored, assisted by Andre Payette and Pasha Gomeniuk. Phoenix were shocked again just 47 seconds later when Janis Ozolins scored after a Phoenix error, this time assisted by Edgar Bebris and Pasha Gomeniuk. A little later Pasha took exception to a Ciaran Long slash and the two players dropped the gloves. Only two punches, both by the Phoenix lad and with Pasha hanging on for dear life and pulled Long to the ice. Phoenix dominated the period and outshot the Dogs 15-10 but could not find a way past Ben Bowns.

More of the same for Phoenix in the second period and with Steeldogs in penalty trouble the home side pulled a goal back with a blistering shot from the left face off circle by Ladzi Harabin, timed at 34:27 and assisted by Tony Hand. Phoenix were unable to capitalise on the goal and went 3-1 down 59 seconds later when Greg Wood scored his second of the game when he found himself all alone in front of goal and guided the puck past Steve Fone. Phoenix outshot the Dogs once again but went into the second break with a two goal deficit and a lot of work to do.

Phoenix huffed and puffed in the third period but found the gritty Dog’s defence tough to break down. They had a great chance to pull a goal back on 47:53 when Tony Hand was brought down but the coach failed to beat Ben Bowns in the Dog’s net. With 54:33 on the clock Janis Ozolins put the result beyond doubt with a 4th goal for the visitors and Sheffield went back home with their first ever victory over Phoenix.