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Depleted Phoenix see off Bracknell

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Manchester Phoenix hosted the Bracknell Bees in Deeside for the first time this season, with three key players missing from the line-up and icing just two forward lines.

Phoenix started brightly and opened the scoring on their first Powerplay opportunity as Robin Kovar tipped in a Ben Wood shot from the point at 11:36.  The home side continued to create chances, and Bees netminder Alex Mettam made two excellent saves to deny James Archer and Michal Satek in a goalmouth scramble as the period ended 1-0.

Bracknell responded early in the second period as Lukas Smital played a perfect pass from behind the net to set up Milan Kostourek, who fired home a shot off the post at 22:13.  Phoenix netminder Steve Fone did well to deny James Galazzi with a one-on-one opportunity, whilst Mettam denied Jacob Corson-Heron at the other end.  Phoenix were also unable to take advantage of a couple of two-on-one opportunities late in the period which ended 1-1.

Phoenix responded strongly at the start of third and after Mettam made a good stop from Trent Hope, Robin Kovar blasted home a James Archer drop pass at 43:25 to restore the lead.  Phoenix had chances to extend their advantage, but Mettam made a number of saves including an excellent stop to deny Archer on the Powerplay.

The late stages of the game were littered by penalties, as Satek was denied on a shorthanded breakaway for the Phoenix.  Bracknell were awarded a two man advantage in the closing minutes but Phoenix held firm for a 2-1 win.

Phoenix host the Peterborough Phantoms in Deeside next Sunday evening with a 6:30pm face-off.