Phoenix take the points in hard fought tussle at the Dome

Sunday, 21st October 2012

Manchester Phoenix 3 Milton Keynes Lightning 2 (Penalty shots)

Phoenix scorers: Andy McKinney x 2, Michal Psurny – winning penalty shot

J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix bounced back after Saturday’s defeat to take both points against a gritty Lightning side.

Phoenix started well and had Lightning on the back foot very early on. Mettam was looking confident in the MK goal and brought off a couple of very good saves in the first couple of minutes. The home side took the lead on 5.07 when Andy McKinney found the net, assisted by Richard Bentham and Ciaran Long.

With 8.47 on the clock, Ciaran misjudged a hit on Dan Harris and picked up a match penalty for a check to the head. Harris had to be helped from the ice but recovered later to watch the rest of the game from the bench. In the ensuing discussions after the hit, Grant McPherson and Andy McKinney squared off, with the latter getting a clear decision on the fight. McPherson was awarded 2+2 for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct penalty for instigating the fight. McKinney was given 2+2 for roughing. The penalties meant that MK were on a 5 minute powerplay. Phoenix played out the penalty without too much trouble and the period ended with the home side leading 1-0.

Lightning came out of the traps much stronger in the second period and slowly took control of the game. They were rewarded with an equaliser with 8.41 gone in the period. Leigh Jamieson scored , assisted by Adam Carr and Nick Poole. Stephen Fone in the Phoenix goal had an outstanding period, denying Lightning on several occasions. The period ended with the scores level at 1-1.

Phoenix found their feet again in the third period and looked the most likely to score and they duly obliged after 48.20 with a fine goal. Scott McKenzie took the puck down the left wing and spotted Andy McKinney wide open in the middle. The pass was perfect and McKinney sweetly dispatched the puck past the excellent Alex Mettam in the Lightning goal. The home fans had every reason to expect this to be the winning goal but were disappointed 8 minutes later when MK equalised for the second time in the game. Lightning captain Adam Carr got the goal assisted by Nick Poole and Leigh Jamieson. A couple of chances went begging at either end and the game finished level at 2-2 and went into overtime.

The extra five minute period failed to produce a winner and the crowd were treated to a penalty shootout to decide the extra point. Michal Psurny scored the first penalty shot for Phoenix with Blaz Emersic missing for Lightning. Andy McKinney and Joachim Flaten missed for Phoenix and Adam Carr and Adam Calder missed for Lightning, giving Phoenix the win.

A good, evenly matched contest was enjoyed by both sets of fans with the Phoenix faithful heading home the happier. Man of the Match awards went to Andy McKinney of Phoenix and Leigh Jamieson of Milton Keynes Lightning.