Phoenix outlast Steeldogs 3-2 in OT

Manchester Phoenix 3-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (After Over Time)

Manchester Phoenix were made to fight tooth and nail on Sunday night against rivals Sheffield, with an inspired Steeldogs netminder Ben Bowns leading the visitors into overtime against the league leaders.

The ‘War of the Roses’ clash was a bad tempered affair that saw Phoenix’s Andrew Sharp leave the game early with an ankle injury and Steeldogs’ defenceman Lloyd Gibson leave blood on the ice after a heavy collision with Tom Duggan before also leaving the match.

Stephen Wallace continued his goal-scoring form with a well taken wrap-around goal to give Phoenix the lead in the first period before Sheffield equalized early in the middle session through Edgar Bebris on the power-play.

Phoenix regained the lead through Marcus Kristoffersson in 44th minute but again the Steeldogs refused to let the home side get out of sight as Craig Elliot found the net in the 48th minute.

The closing minutes saw tempers rise further with Steeldogs’ Kris Jrundmanis receiving a match penalty for checking to the head of Ladislav Harabin, and Andre Payette gained 2+2+2 for slashing leaving the visitors shorthanded.

The resulting two-man power-play carried over into the overtime period and after a barrage of Phoenix shots, Sheffield netminder Bown’s defences were finally breached as Curtis Huppe deflected a Tony Hand shot into the net to seal the extra point.

Hand said after the match: “Tonight we showed character, and plenty of it. Sheffield came to stop us playing our hockey and snatch chances when they appeared. It was a testament to our guys that we stayed focused on our game and battled right to the end.”