Manchester Phoenix 3-4 Slough Jets

By Steven Oldham, Sports Correspondent

Manchester Phoenix succumbed to a dramatic 4-3 defeat in overtime at the Altrincham Ice Dome as Slough Jets avenged an opening weekend defeat.

Dan Davies’ well taken goal from the back post secured victory for the visitors in the first minute of overtime following the third period.

The game had started so  well for Phoenix, with the home team scoring the first two goals after face off.

James Neil opened the scoring in the eighth minute, following through from a Tony Hand lay off. It was the defender’s first goal of the season.

Juraj Faith doubled Phoenix’s advantage four minutes later with player coach Tony Hand again involved.

This was as good as it got for Phoenix as Jets mounted a spirited fightback to leave the tie at 2-2 after the first period.

Quickfire goals from Darius Pliskauskas and Ryan Watt in under a minute gave the visitors hope ahead of the break.

A scrappy, goalless second period followed with Phoenix netminder Steve Fone again on good form, using both feet to save from Davies and teammate Mindaugus Kieras in quick succession.

Both teams fell foul of the rules as tempers heated, with Ryan Watt repeatedly penalised for hooking and slashing throughout.

In the third, the visitors took the lead for the first time as Tom Carlon set up Pliskauskas for his second of the game.

Phoenix hit back with the best goal of the game through Slava Koulikov. Top scoring team mate Martin Cingal hit a pinpoint pass across the ice whih Koulikov duly put past visiting netminder Gregg Rockman.

The third period ended level leaving the teams facing five extra minutes of sudden death hockey.

Unfortunateley for Phoenix, their opposition only needed one. Capitalising on a penalty, Davies’ goal past Fone was enough to secure a win.

Photo: Emily Bonner