Ex-Phoenix stopper Murphy shines against Bruins

Belfast Giants Selects 1-5 Boston Bruins

Former Manchester Phoenix goaltender Stephen Murphy shone the brightest on Saturday night against National Hockey League side Boston Bruins.

The Bruins travelled across the water to face-off against a Belfast Giants Selects side comprising of players from around the Elite League which also included other ex-Phoenix stars Luke Fulghum and David Beauregard.

Murphy was given the start against a full strength Boston side boasting NHL stars like Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi, Milan Lucic, Michael Ryder and goalie Tuukka Rask.

For half the match, the Elite stars and in particular, Murphy, stood firm despite constant Bruins pressure and then surprisingly took the lead late in the second period through Nottingham’s Jade Galbraith. He snapped a shot high glove side past Rask much to the delight of a packed Odyssey Arena.

However this only served as a wake up call for the Bruins as they turned the game on its head within minutes of the restart, scoring three quick goals from Tyler Seguin, Chara and Brad Marchand to lead 3-1 at the second interval.

In the third period, the Giants tried to get back in the match but all hopes were extinguished by a fourth goal from the Bruins, Milan Lucic firing a wrist shot through Murphy before Boston were awarded a penalty shot in the dying minutes which was expertly dispatched by NHL new boy Seguin.

Murphy finished with 40 saves and for long periods kept the Boston attack at bay, his saves included a fine stop on Bruins captain Chara whilst he was on a breakaway.

Meanwhile Manchester Phoenix continued their impressive start to the season, picking up another three points last weekend. Tony Hand’s side beat Milton Keynes Lightning at the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday 5-2 after losing on penalty shots to Swindon Wildcats the night before.