Phoenix stunned by late Hull comeback

Sunday, 3rd January 2016

Manchester Phoenix welcomed the Hull Pirates to Deeside on Sunday evening for the second time this season, and handed a home debut to Czech forward Martin Baranek, wearing #22.

The opening period was dominated by Phoenix, with Robin Kovar and Stanislav Gron both having good chances shorthanded saved by Pirates netminder Martins Raitums. Late in the period, Kovar saw a powerful shot come back off the bar before Gron put Phoenix ahead with a shot from the left circle at 17:42.

Hull responded well in the second period, and grabbed an equaliser at 26:40 when Tommi Laine fired home following a scramble in front of the Phoenix net. Phoenix had a couple of Powerplay opportunities but finally capitalised at 36:13 when Kovar played a pinpoint pass from behind the net, and Baranek picked out the top corner. Hull quickly levelled however through Warren Tait at 37:45 to make the score 2-2 going into the final period.

Hull seized the initiative with an early goal in the third period from Nathan Salem at 40:25, but Phoenix responded well and after James Archer hit the post, Michal Satek tipped home a Ben Wood shot at 42:23 to level. The Phoenix pressure continued as Gron hit the post before Hull’s Tom Ralph was thrown out for a high stick. Baranek then grabbed his second of the night on the backhand at 46:32 and Archer was again denied by the bar.

But two goals in less than a minute late in the game swung the result in Hull’s favour as Lee Bonner equalised at 58:01 before Laine fired home his second of the night at 58:47 to hand the visitors a 5-4 win.

Coach Hand commented after the match:"Very disappoinnting to lose tonight, especially after playing so well,

I thought we dominated the game and made and took some good chances. however, wew are making irresponsible decisions during play that are causing turn overs and in tonight's case. at least two goals. We must cut this out and play as a team. Our best players must step up to the plate and get into a winning habit. Martin Baranek made a great start to his time with Phoenix with two man of the match performances. Well deserved and he will be an asset to the team."

Phoenix are at home next Sunday evening against the Swindon Wildcats, with a 6:30pm face-off in Deeside.