News

Phoenix bitten by the Dogs

Sunday, 2nd February 2014

Sheffield Steeldogs 4 - Manchester Phoenix 2

Phoenix scorers : Frantisek Bakrlik x 2

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix made the short journey across the hills to take on the Sheffield Steeldogs. Steeldogs took the points after a feisty affair that boiled over at the end of the game

Phoenix started well and pinned the Dogs in their own zone and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 3.13. Frankie Bakrlik got his stick on a loose puck and it somehow found its way past Dalibor Sedlar in the Sheffield net. Assists went to Andrew McKinney and Robert Schnabel. The Steeldogs hit the equaliser on 7.47 when a poor line change left Ben Morgan alone just inside the blue line and his rasper of a shot flew past Stephen Fone. Steeldogs lost Craig Elliot to the high sticks rule after 13 minutes when he accidentally caught James Archer in the face with his stick. The match penalty on him was downgraded after Archer returned to the game shortly afterwards. Phoenix continued their domination but a mixture of poor shooting and great goaltending kept the score at 1-1 at the end of the first period.

The second period was more of an end to end affair with the Steeldogs having more of the play. Phoenix were still creating chances but Sedlar was having a great night keeping his goal intact. Steeldogs took the lead against the run of play after 36.10 when top sniper Lubomir Korhon broke away to score, assisted by Tim Smith and Greg Wood. There was no further scoring in a quietish period and the Dogs went to the second cup of tea with the score 2-1 to the home side.

Phoenix started the third in the same vein as the first two but could not get many quality shots on net and the Steeldogs scored a third with 6 minutes to go when Greg Wood broke free to face Stephen Fone one on one and the Steeldogs’ skipper made no mistake. Shortly before the goal, the Dogs had one washed out as debutant Tom Squires put the puck in the net long after the whistle had gone. Michal Psurny took offence to that late shot and was assessed a 10 minute misconduct for holding the face mask. Squires also sat out 10 minutes on a misconduct. Frankie Bakrlik scored with just less than 3 minutes to go to give the large travelling away fans some home but it was not to be and the Steeldogs capped their night with an empty net goal with19 seconds left.  However, the main talking point will be the brawl that took place with 7 seconds left as fights broke out all over the ice. 10 minutes of mayhem took place before order was restored and the final seconds were played out. 4 minute roughing penalties were dished out to Lee Haywood, Andrew Hirst, Lloyd Gibson and 8 to Callum Pattison of the Dogs. Similar roughing penalties were given to Phoenix players Robert Schnabel, Jacob Heron and Andrew McKinney with Richard Bentham picking up 8 minutes. Phoenix player coach, Tony Hand picked up a 10 minute misconduct at the same time after he dropped the gloves with Greg Wood. Unfortunately Mr Wood refused the offer for some reason and Hand was called.

All in all a typical Phoenix/Steeldogs affair with the Dogs taking their chances and an excellent netminding display by Sedlar. Phoenix dominated most of the game but fell short in front of goal.

Results elsewhere meant that Phoenix remain top of the league and they will be looking to pick up points on Sunday against the resurgent Telford Tigers.

The match faces off at the Ice Dome at the usual time of 1730hrs.