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Tough loss for Phoenix

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Manchester Phoenix 2 - Telford Tigers 3 (overtime)

Phoenix scorers: Adam Walker and Frantisek Bakrlik.

J Davidson sponsored “Men of Iron” Manchester Phoenix took on league leaders Telford Tigers in an EPL and British Challenge Cup match at the Dome on Sunday.

Phoenix were still without James Archer and Jacob Corson Heron.

The home side started the better and put the Tigers’ defence under pressure early on, hitting the pipes on 4.30. Thomas Murdy in the Telford net was in fine form as he turned away wave after wave of Phoenix attacks. Phoenix pressure was relentless and they deservedly took the lead on 15.15. Luke Boothroyd found Michal Psurny deep in the Telford zone and his pin point pass was swept into the net by Adam Walker. More chances fell to a rampant Phoenix, forcing save after save from Murdy, who managed to keep his net intact and the period ended with the home side leading 1-0.

Telford came more into the game in the second period and Stephen Fone pulled of a number of fine saves to help his club retain their lead but he was beaten on 32.24 with a Jason Silverthorn goal, assisted by Joe Miller. The ex Elite league player was free on the left side of the zone and he sent a shot high to Stephen Fone’s right side and the puck found its way into the net. The rest of the period was end to end exciting hockey as both netminders stood on their heads to the delight of both sets of fans. The period was coming to an end when Tony Hand slipped the puck to Frankie Bakrlik and he rocketed a shot high to Murdy’s right side and into the net to give the home side the lead on 39.30. A closer period ended with Phoenix still on top and leading 2-1.

The Phoenix domination had to come to an end at some stage and Telford really started to take the game to the home side from the first whistle of the third period and equalised on 43.18 with Jason Silverthorn’s second goal of the night, assisted by Joe Miller and Peter Szabo. Telford broke out of their own  zone and Joe Miller found enough space to send the puck cross ice to Silverthorn who made no mistake.

Tigers turned the screw on the beleaguered Phoenix defence who were dealing with everything thrown at them and the game went to overtime at 2-2.

The game continued to serve up end to end hockey and it was unfortunate that the winning goal came from a loose pass by Phoenix in their own defensive zone. Dan Davies latched on to the puck and passed to Jason Silverthorn whose quick release shot beat the excellent Stephen Fone for the winning goal with just 58 seconds left on the clock. 

Both netminders picked up the Man of the Match awards but both teams had a few candidates for the award in a pulsating entertaining match that was a credit to the English Premier league.

Coach Hand commented after the game: “I thought we played our best game of the season and dominated two thirds of the game. Murdy in goal kept them in the game and we had enough chances to get a good lead. Stephen Fone was as good in the third period. Telford are a good side and we showed we are as good and with a bit of luck we would have got that all important lead. To lose so in the manner we did so late in the game is disappointing but all credit to Telford for sticking to their task.”