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Second period salvo boosts Phoenix

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Trailing to a 7th minute opening goal from Vipers Shaun Johnson, Phoenix coach Tony Hand adjusted his offensive line formations for the second session and his bold move came up trumps in style.

Phoenix were keen to complete their first ‘home’ win of the season and in so doing complete back-to-back wins over last seasons playoff champions. Phoenix started slowly and Vipers deserved to open the scoring when Johnson beat Phoenix goalie Jason Wolfe at 6.58. Phoenix hit back but despite having the better of the possession, failed to equalise before the first interval.

Player/Coach Tony Hand used the break to tweak his lines and by the 27th minute, his team were in front with Adam Walker firing home the tying goal and Derek Campbell getting the go-ahead marker. Things got better for the home side as David Vychodil added a third with his third of the season before the half hour mark as the Vipers struggled to contain the Phoenix attack. Vipers reduced the arrears as a high shot came back off the back netting and Matt Beveridge forced the puck home in a goalmouth scramble only for Hand himself to restore the two-goal lead with a superb high backhand finish at 35.18.

Beveridge bagged his second goal of the game at 3.29 of the final period on a powerplay after Derek Campbell in the penalty box and the Vipers began to push hard for an equaliser. Their frustration showed when Andre Payette tangled with Robin Gomez and a wrestling match ensued with neither combatant landing any significant punches. Phoenix stayed calm and held on for a valuable two points that lifts them into the top half of the bmibaby.com Elite League with seven points from their opening seven games.

Phoenix are next in action next Sunday when they play host to the Basingstoke Bison in a 7.00pm face-off at the Deeside Leisure Centre.