Phoenix hit record score to down the Jets

Sunday, 6th October 2013

Manchester Phoenix 12 - Slough Jets 2.

Manchester Phoenix Scorers: Frantisek Bakrlik x2, Michal Psurny x 2, Liam Chong x 2, James Archer x 2, Tony Hand, Robin Kovar, Jack Watkins and Richard Bentham.

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix were again in devastating form as they hit a franchise record score of 12-2 against the Slough Jets.

Phoenix found themselves in early penalty trouble in the first period but not only did they kill the penalties, they took the lead with a short-handed goal. Tony Hand broke free down the left wing with Frankie Bakrlik accompanying him on the right side. A defence splitting pass ensued from Hand and Bakrlik sent a blistering shot past Gregg Rockman. Phoenix doubled the lead on 11.50 with an unassisted Michal Psurny goal. The period ended with Phoenix leading 2-0, outshooting their opponents 16-9.

The home side were on top form in the second period and hit seven goals in an awesome display of attacking hockey. Goals from Tony Hand, Frankie Bakrlik, Liam Chong, Robin Kovar, James Archer, Michal Psurny and Jack Watkins blew the Jets out of the sky. The visitors hit one back on 35.46 through Ales Padalek. Highlight of the period was an amazing save by Stephen Fone to deny Ryan Watt a certain goal. End of 40 minutes and Phoenix comfortably leading 9-1.

Phoenix player/coach Tony Hand took no further part in the final period of the game, moving to his place on the bench. Coach Hand also changed netminders to give Jorge El-Hage some useful ice time. Phoenix continued their domination and scored 3 more goals to record their highest ever score in the EPL. James Archer scored a fine goal on 48.01 when he found the strength to sweep the puck into the net from the prone position. Richard Bentham made it 11-1 on 49.14 assisted by the excellent Robin Kovar. Jacob Corson-Heron was given a match penalty for slashing with 7 minutes left and the Jets scored a second through their captain Michael Wales. There was still time for Phoenix to get that record breaking goal with a second short-handed marker on 56.30 through Liam Chong, assisted by Ben Wood and Andrew McKinney. Final score Phoenix 12 Jets 2.

Man of the match awards went to James Archer for Phoenix and Matt Towalski for the Jets.
Phoenix will go into the tough double header meeting with Guildford Flames next weekend brimming with confidence after their 8th win in 8 league starts.

Phoenix Man of the Match, James Archer, said after the game:

“We are just taking one game at a time and concentrating on improving things in training. Next weekend we have a tough test against Guildford Flames but we are playing with confidence and will give a good account of ourselves.”