News

Phoenix douse the Flames in Spectrum thriller

Tweet

Guildford Flames 4 - Manchester Phoenix 6

Phoenix scorers: Robin Kovar, Robert Schnabel, Tony Hand, Andy McKinney, Frantisek Bakrlik and Michal Psurny

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix brought the points back up north as 6 different scorers earned the victory in Guildford.

Normally it is the Flames who start fast in games at the Spectrum but it was the visitors who shocked the home crowd by taking the lead after just 20 seconds. Robin Kovar hit the puck goalwards from a Frankie Bakrlik pass and it found its way past a screened James Hadfield for the opening goal. Robert Schnabel doubled the lead on 4.53 with a rasping shot that thundered past Hadfield. Assists went to Tony Hand and James Archer. Flames hit back almost immediately with a goal on 5.13, scored by Ben Campbell, assisted by David Savage and David Longstaff. In a thrilling end to end 1st period, Phoenix took a 3-1 lead to the locker room courtesy of a Tony Hand power play goal on 16.07. Neat work around the hash marks found Hand free on the left and his crisp shot beat Hadfield to his right. Assists were awarded to Michal Psurny and Robert Schnabel.

Flames hit back hard in the second period and goals from Tom Duggan and Ben Campbell brought the game level at 3-3 before Andy McKinney restored the visitors’ lead on 36.16, assisted by Bakrlik and Kovar. End of 2 periods of great hockey with Phoenix holding on to a 4-3 lead.

As expected, the home side put Phoenix under tremendous pressure but Stephen Fone stood tall, making a number of key saves during a couple of Flames powerplays. Despite playing the majority of the period in their own defensive zone, Phoenix extended their lead with 6 minutes left. Frankie Bakrlik found himself free in the centre of the Flames’ defensive zone and shot home for a power play goal. Assists this time to Michal Psurny and Tony Hand. When Robin Kovar was sent to the box on a very strange tripping call on 57.51, Flames took the chance to pull Hadfield for the extra skater and it paid off with a goal. As the penalty was winding down, the extra body told as Branislav Kvetan scored with 37 seconds left in the game. Flames again pulled their netminder but this time a wicked bounce off the back boards allowed Michal Psurny an empty net tap-in to make it 6-4 with 5 seconds left in the game.  Final score 6-4 to Phoenix.

Player coach Tony Hand commented after the game:

“It was a tough game again tonight, as it always is down here. Guildford are a very good side at home and we knew it was going to be difficult. I thought we played very well and it was great to see 6 different guys getting on the scoresheet. I am very pleased with the points here tonight. Now it is a long journey back and we turn our thoughts to the game against the Steeldogs. It will surely be another tough fixture.”