Phoenix vs Lightning

Sunday, 18th December 2011

Result: Manchester Phoenix 4 - Milton Keynes Lightning 2

Manchester Phoenix scorers: Martin Cingel x 3, Ciaran Long

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix took to the ice knowing a win was a must if they wanted to make the cup semi finals. Well, they certainly played the first period like their lives were on the line. Wave after wave of attacking play rained down on Alex Mettam in the Lightning goal and it was no surprise when the home team took the lead. With 4.58 on the clock, James Archer found Tom Duggan on the right wing. Tom went past the defenceman like he was just not there and found the rushing Ciaran Long with a pin point pass to sweep the puck past Mettam. Wonderful goal that had the crowd on their feet. Phoenix continued to dominate and Mettam was looking a bit shaky in goal and with 11.35 gone, he let a Martin Cingel shot under his glove and into the net for 2-0. Phoenix hit a bit of penalty trouble but the defence stood firm and the period ended 2-0 to the home side. Outstanding period of hockey from Phoenix.

Milton Keynes must have had something in their drinks at the break as it was a different team that took the ice. They hustled and bustled their way back into the game and pulled a goal back on 27.13 when Leigh Jamieson scored a powerplay goal while Slava Koulikov sat out a minor charging penalty. End to end stuff ensued but it was the Lightning who had the better of the period but they could not find the equalising goal. Tom Duggan had to leave the ice after a hard hit on the boards and did not come back out for the rest of the period.

The third period was a fast and furious affair with both teams fighting hard and Milton Keynes equalised on the powerplay at 46.06. Leigh Jamieson scored his second of the night after good work behind the goal. With just under 8 minutes to go the house erupted as Martin Cingel scored his second of the night when he reacted first to a loose puck right on the goal line after Mettam lost sight of it. Phoenix scored the insurance goal on 57.41 as Cingel made it a personal threesome to ease fluttering hearts around the rink.

Overall a good win for Phoenix against a tough Lightning side and the lads go into the Christmas break on a high.