Phoenix rise, but fail to douse the Flames
8:05am Sunday 11th December 2011 in Sport By Nigel McFarlane
HEARTBREAK: Nathan Rempel scores Guildford's second goal.
EPL ICE HOCKEY:
Manchester Phoenix 3 Guidford Flames 5
Manchester Phoenix narrowly failed to take points off EPL table-toppers Guildford Flames in a dramatic, compelling encounter on Saturday night.
Phoenix were still without Tony Hand and Stephen Wallace, and also had Josh Ward absent on GB duty. Instead, Andy Dunn, Jake Nurse and Jamie Rogerson from Phoenix’ ENL side Trafford Metros were drafted in.
Phoenix dominated the early stages and forced Flames goalie Mark Lee into two excellent, early saves. But it was Guildford who broke the deadlock after 10 minutes when Branislav Kvetan shot past Steve Fone. Nathan Rempel doubled Guildford’s lead with a well-taken goal three minutes later.
Guildford were threatening to run away with the game, but Phoenix were back in it after 17 minutes when man of the match Tom Duggan scored a brilliant individual goal. Phoenix were pressing hard as the period ended, but the momentum was broken on 18 minutes when captain Luke Boothroyd was given two minutes for Roughing.
Boothroyd served the remainder of his penalty as the second period opened, but it was the worst possible start for Phoenix, when former Manchester fan favourite Curtis Huppe bagged a third for Flames just 23 seconds into the second period.
Guilford were having the better of this period, and when Rick Plant put Guilford 4-1 ahead just two minutes later, it looked as though the game might be beyond Phoenix. But Martin Cingel kept Phoenix at the races on 32 minutes with an expertly taken power play goal.
Roared on by the Phoenix fans, Ciaran Long raised the roof just 47 seconds into the final stretch when he pulled the score back to 4-3. Phoenix were completely dominant in the final period, and spent it camped in the Guildford zone. However, despite piling on the pressure, Phoenix were unable to find the equaliser, and the killer blow came with just 20 seconds left as Steve Fone was pulled and Jez Lundin fired into the empty Phoenix net.
Phoenix coach Tony Hand said: “The guys played extremely well tonight, it was a fantastic team performance. We were the better side for long periods and we were very unlucky not to take something from the game.”
