Phoenix Cruise Past Raiders

Manchester Phoenix 7-0 Romford Raiders

Robert Lachowicz and Iain Bowie led the way for Manchester Phoenix on Sunday night at the Altrincham Ice Dome as they both bagged doubles during the seven goal rout of Romford Raiders.

Tony Hand’s team were quick off the mark, taking advantage of an early power-play opportunity as Greg Wood opened the scoring with a wrap-around goal in the third minute. This was followed by Bowie’s first of the night in the 7th minute, again on the power-play as the visitors took early penalties. A perfect period for the Phoenix was capped off by a sublime breakaway effort by Lachowicz who after beating the Raiders defence with his speed, neatly finished off a great move by the home side to lead 3-0 at the first interval.

Player coach Hand replaced Steve Fone in the home goal for the second period, giving back-up netminder Adam Summerfield the chance to get some ice-time under his belt with the Phoenix looking fairly comfortable. Iain Bowie completed his double early in the period before Adam Walker missed a penalty shot for the home side.

In the third period however, Walker finally got his goal tally for the season off the mark with a strike in the 44th minute to increase the lead to five goals. By this point, the game was gone from the Raiders who never really found their groove during their first visit to the Dome. In the 47th minute, sniper Ed Courtenay snapped home the hosts sixth goal of the night, this was followed shortly after by Lachowicz’s second goal as he arrived at the net just in time to connect with a oncoming Adam Walker pass to complete the scoring at 7-0

Phoenix coach Tony Hand commented, “Tonight, I could see the first real signs of the team beginning to gel. I thought everybody played well and it was good to give Adam Summerfield two periods even though he didn’t face that many shots.”

”The really pleasing aspect is the goals we scored being spread around the roster and for the younger lads like Iain and Robert to see their effort and enthusiasm rewarded. With no disrespect to Romford who kept on battling, we’ll have harder games this season, but I’m pleased by the solid all-round effort tonight.”

The defeat of Romford paired with a 5-1 road victory in Swindon the night before lifts Phoenix to 2nd in the table behind leaders Milton Keynes Lightning.