Phoenix edge Steeldogs in shoot-out

Manchester Phoenix 5-4 Sheffield Steeldogs (After penalty shots)

Winger Stephen Wallace returned to the Manchester Phoenix line up on Tuesday night and helped his side fight back against rivals Sheffield.

Wallace, back on the ice after suffering a broken wrist, scored the equalizing fourth goal for the home side as Phoenix recovered from a two goal deficit three times before winning the game in a shoot-out.

Steeldogs scored twice in the opening period through Ashley Calvert and Greg Wood for a 2-0 lead but Phoenix, still without leader Tony Hand, fought back in the second period.

First Martin Cingel cut the lead in the 23rd minute before Stuart Brittle restored the visitors two goal cushion. Phoenix’s Slava Koulikov and Brittle then traded goals within a five minute spell before goals from Ciaran Long and Wallace tied the game at 4-4.

The final period remained goalless despite a five minute power-play opportunity for Phoenix after Sheffield’s Pavel Gomeniuk was ejected for boarding Phoenix’s Josh Ward and neither team could find a winner in overtime.

Koulikov and Juraj Faith scored their penalty shots against Ben Bowns in the Sheffield net whilst only Greg Wood could beat Steve Fone in the home goal and Phoenix took the extra point.

Hand said after the game, “We kept our heads up tonight, we battled back when things looked bleak and we got the win we deserved. That shows the character we have in this locker room.

“The guys are fighting back and the confidence is growing.”