Phoenix close on Telford with key victory over Barons.
Manchester Phoenix ENL 6 – 4 Solihull Barons
The Solihull Barons were last in the Ice Dome a month ago in a very close game that the visitors edged 4-3. Last Saturday saw another equally entertaining encounter with fast and skilful hockey keeping the supporters of both sides on the edges of their seats until the final hooter.With early penalties called on both sides, Phoenix took the early upper hand as Pete Traynor fed Brian Worrall and he opened the scoring in the third minute. However, the Barons bit back inside 30 seconds, Dean Tonks scoring from close range.
After these early scores, the period settled down and it wasn’t until the 12th minute that Phoenix regained the lead. Robyn Crebbin and Paul Stapleton combined to cross the puck from right to left and with Doyle in the Solihull goal struggling to cross his crease, Ben Wood flipped the puck past him through the narrowing gap at the post.
The early stages of second period became something of a procession of penalties, resulting from a coming together around the Solihull goal. Once the penalty box dust had cleared, the game got back into its stride. The 33rd minute saw Phoenix Man of the Match, Paul Stapleton, score the first of his brace assisted by James Wood.
Solihull could have slumped from this point, but they didn’t and they roared back scoring two goals in less than 30 seconds. Erik Bakalar reduced the arrears and before the Phoenix could re-group, Rob Eley tied the score at three in the 36th minute. Phoenix maintained their composure and showed their growing confidence with Stapleton bagging his second before Ben Wood did likewise to restore the phoenix two-goal advantage at the second interval.
A long spell of 5-on-5 hockey in the third period saw some excellent play from both sides, but when the Barons again ran into double penalty trouble late in the game, Brian Worrall completed his double on a two-man powerplay finishing a fine flowing move. Bakalar pulled a late powerplay goal back for the Barons, but it was not enough to see them stage a grandstand finish.
A delighted Phoenix ENL coach, Mark Hobson said, “A really good result, all three lines showed their capabilities and we are getting better with every game. I was particularly pleased with Ashton Jenion and Ben Brown (of the Phoenix U-18s), Ben has had limited ice time up to now and it was Ashton’s first game at this level.
Both played with significant maturity and enjoyed their full shift time against significant ENL opposition. With Telford only managing a draw against Flintshire, this moves us into second place and sets up a intriguing fixture on the 23rd. We must continue with this form and mental character and carry it through for the remainder of the season. We are growing in confidence with every game.”
The Phoenix ENL next home game is a top of the table clash with the Telford Titans on Saturday November 23rd with a 5.15pm face-off.
Man of the match for Phoenix: Paul Stapleton
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