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Manchester Phoenix 5-1 Guildford Flames
A double strike from player coach Tony Hand and a first goal for defenceman Ryan Johnson helped Manchester Phoenix dispatch the Guildford Flames on Saturday night, despite being five first team players down.
Phoenix, still without injured starting netminder Steve Fone, were also without the services of Iain Bowie, Robert Lachowicz, James Neil and Joe Graham who left on Friday to play for the Great Britian under 20’s team in Hungary.
Tony Hand filled the gaps with five players from the English National League Max Drakeley, Andy McKinney, John Murray, Jake Nurse and netminder Declyn Ryan making their debuts and they more than held their own in the final minutes.
Phoenix got off to the perfect start with Jaakko Hagelberg netting with a blast from the slot which Flames netminder Mark Lee found to hot to handle. The Flames equalized through Martin Masa in the 12th minute before Phoenix took control with two quick goals. Adam Walker fired a perfect wrist-shot into the top corner of the net, which was followed by a lucky goal for coach Hand as his pass across the front of the net deflected off Flames player coach Paul Dixon into the net.
Phoenix never looked back, early in the second period, Ryan Johnson added a fourth goal, his first for the club, before Hand added his second of the night to see Phoenix extend their lead to 5-1. The final period saw the Phoenix ease off the pressure as the Flames were a well beaten side and both netminders, Lee and Adam Summerfield in the home net prevented any further changes to the scoreboard.
Hand commented after the match, “We knew we’d have to be focussed against a good Guildford side and tonight was arguably as good as we’ve played all season. I thought we dominated the game and with some better finishing, could have won by a bigger margin.”
Manchester Phoenix 5-4 Milton Keynes Lightning (After Overtime)
Manchester Phoenix captain Luke Boothroyd completed another stunning weekend for the league leaders this weekend with an overtime winner against the Milton Keynes Lightning.
Phoenix gained another valuable four point weekend with two come from behind victories as they defeated Bracknell Bee’s away on Saturday night before beating a tough Lightning team on Sunday. On both occasions, Phoenix found themselves 4-1 down and they managed to turn both games around to win 5-4.
Tony Hand commented, “At 4-1 down, we could have let our heads drop, but the team simply rolled up their sleeves and gave it their all. That’s two nights on the trot we’ve had to battle back from a deficit, the guys are showing a belief in themselves that as a coach is so pleasing to see.”
Back-up netminder Adam Summerfield continued in goal for both matches and in the third period on Sunday, showed great determination to keep the Phoenix come-back on course.
Goals from Adam Brittle, Michael Farn and Monir Kalgoum (2) had put the visitors firmly in control, with only a lone Adam Walker strike on the board for Phoenix late in the second period. Two strikes in less than thirty seconds from the home side reduced the deficit drastically. Firstly Andre Mattsson fired home on a 5 on 3 powerplay before Adam Walker netted his second goal of the night.
In what was a tight third period, the only goal came on the power-play, the hardworking Jaakko Hagelberg deflecting an Ed Courtenay shot past a helpless Barry Hollyhead in the Lightning net to tie the scores at 4-4 and send the game into overtime.
Both teams received matching penalties in the extra period and the resulting 3 on 3 saw plenty of ice to be used and the Phoenix duly capitalised, Tony Hand and Courtenay setting up Luke Boothroyd down the left wing and his snapped effort flew through Hollyhead to seal a fantastic victory.
Manchester Phoenix 6-4 Basingstoke Bison
Nineteen year old back-up netminder Adam Summerfield led Manchester Phoenix to a 6-4 home victory on Sunday over Basingstoke in his first start for the English Premier League team.
First choice netminder Steve Fone suffered a dislocated shoulder during victory away at Swindon on Saturday, leaving Summerfield to see out the final ten minutes.
Summerfield said, “I knew I’d be starting because of the shoulder injury to Steve, I enjoyed the experience, but was nervous in case I let my team and myself down.”
Phoenix led from the start as they looked to give their young shot-stopper some breathing room, Adam Walker bagged an early double before the Bison found their way past the debutant in the 15th minute through Steve Moria.
A second period hat-trick from Ed Courtenay, including a short-handed goal, helped Phoenix to a 5-3 lead going into the final period where the teams traded a goal each, Hagelberg netting for the hosts.
Player coach Tony Hand added, “The loss of Steve Fone to the shoulder injury gives us a problem, but young Adam stepped up and did an excellent job for us. He made some very good saves and I’m sure he’ll be even keener to practise this week.”
