Courtenay Double Ends Phoenix Losing Streak

Manchester Phoenix 5-4 Peterborough Phantoms (After Overtime)

Leading scorer Ed Courtenay stepped back into the line-up on Saturday night and steered Manchester Phoenix past Peterborough Phantoms with two goals and an assist, ending Phoenix’s four game losing skid.

The ex-NHL winger scored deep into overtime to seal the points after his side surrendered a two goal lead in the third period.

It was the Phantoms, on their second visit to the Ice Dome this season, who scored first through ex-Phoenix forward Joe Miller in the 7th minute in a period that again seemed to show the defensive frailties in the Phoenix team. The lack of organisation in their own zone should have cost them more but for the play of goaltender Steve Fone as the Phantoms outshot their hosts.

The second period saw a complete turnaround as it was the Phoenix that flew from the blocks, two goals in a minute saw them take the lead, Jaakko Hagelberg and Robert Lachowicz both netting before the 24 minute mark. Adam Walker added a third strike in the 32nd minute and Steve Fone managed to keep the Phantoms at bay during a late surge.

The final period saw Phoenix relinquish their two goal cushion as a second goal from Joe Miller and a shorthanded effort from James Knight saw the Phantoms level. A minute later the Phoenix were back in front, Courtenay swept home his first of the night on the powerplay only for James Morgan to equalize again for the visitors in the 54th minute.

Phoenix had a great chance to seal the game in the overtime period as Joe Miller was penalised for the Phantoms, but netminder Stephen Wall saved everything the Phoenix forwards could throw at him. However after the powerplay expired Ed Courtenay was left alone at the back post and duly netted the game winning goal off a pass from Iain Bowie.

Commenting after the match Tony Hand said, “Peterborough gave us a battle tonight, they’re much stronger now than they were earlier in the season and we had to dig deep. Foney made some big saves for us tonight, in fact both goalies played well.”