Phoenix burnt late on by Flames

Sunday, 14th February 2016

Manchester Phoenix fell to a 6-2 home defeat to the Guildford Flames on Sunday evening.

Phoenix conceded an early penalty and Janis Ozolins fired home on the Powerplay at 4:33 to give Guildford the lead. Stanislav Gron had a good opportunity from close in for Phoenix but the visitors were having most of the play as the period ended 1-0.

The equaliser for Phoenix came early in the second period as an excellent interception from Phil Hamer allowed Trent Hope to fire home at 24:28. However another penalty was capitalised on by the Flames, as Jez Lundin fired in a rocket just four seconds into the Powerplay at 25:41.

Guildford continued to get the benefit of the officials, and Steve Fone made a superb save to deny Janis Ozolins from a penalty shot. Phoenix received a late Powerplay and had numerous chances, including from James Neil who hit the post from the blue line but the second period ended 2-1.

Guildford opened up a two goal advantage early in the final period through former Phoenix forward Tom Duggan at 41:39 however Phoenix reduced the arrears almost immediately as Michal Satek slammed home a shot which went in off the bar at 43:14 after being set up by Gron.

However it was another former Phoenix favourite, Andy McKinney, who killed the game off with two quick goals at 50:13 and 51:57 before Ozolins grabbed his second of the night at 56:58 on a breakaway as the game ended 6-2.

Phoenix host the Milton Keynes Lightning in Deeside next Sunday with a 6:30pm face-off.