Phoenix have not had the best of runs recently and our home games have left a lot to be desired. However I said at the beginning of the season that I thought that MK would start the season well but as the teams in the league gelled would slip down the table. This is only because they haven't made many changes from the season and all the other teams have. Phoenix were still without Hand (ankle), Wallace (wrist) and Ward (internationals). James Spur from the Metros was called up to make up the numbers on the bench. I suspected that this game was going to be a tough one as MK are always quite physical on the ice and their play can sometimes be not quite by the book! MK weren't without their injuries as well, McPherson, Wales and Green were all missing which could help us win the game.
First Period
The first period started well for the both teams. MK brought their normal physical game and it wasn't long before a penalty was called at 4:58, Christie took a seat for roughing. Phoenix worked hard on the powerplay but as per usual no goal was forthcoming. At 7:36, the first goal of the game was scored, and a cracking goal it was. Duggan worked for the puck and made a great pass to Long who finished well for Phoenix to take a 1-0 lead. Just under 4 minutes later, Phoenix managed to extend the lead, following a shot on Mettam that he managed to save, but unfortunately for MK the rebound fell to the front of the crease and Cingel came charging in to slam the puck home. Unfortunately for Phoenix, we picked up a couple of consecutive penalties but MK couldn't get off the mark even with the extra man and Phoenix successfully killed both powerplays. At the end of the first period there were a few handbags due to an MK player shooting after the buzzer. Nothing came from it and the players finally left the ice.
Going into the break, Phoenix were 2-0 up (much to my surprise!) and were looking good offensively, the defence still looked a little shaky in parts but they had managed to keep MK at bay much to their frustration. MK had their chances though but they just weren't able to finish (think I have said that numerous times about Phoenix!) I was hoping that we wouldn't slip into our normal second period downer and keep up the pace.
Goals - Phoenix 7:36 - Long, Assists - Duggan, Archer, Phoenix 11:35 - Cingel, Assists - Koulikov, Boothroyd
Second Period
MK came out fighting in the second period (not good news for Phoenix) and following a call on Koulikov for charging MK managed to get off the mark courtesy of Jamieson who shot the puck through Fone's 5 hole. I thought it was a shot he would ordinarily have saved, but it wasn't to be and the puck trickled over the line. The rest of period was pretty much uneventful apart from a few penalties on both teams. MK seemed to be finding their groove though and the puck spent most of the period in the Phoenix zone. Towards the end of the period, Phoenix were hit with more bad luck on the injury front, when Duggan slid awkwardly into the boards and returned to the dressing room for the doctor to be called...just what we needed!
So at the end of the second period, MK had managed to close the gap and were looking a little more threatening. Luckily they had only managed to sneak one goal past Fone and Phoenix were still leading by one goal. I would of liked at least one more goal in that period as MK are no pushovers and would definitely be coming out to win in the third. I was hoping Hand had some inspiring words and we would get an early goal...or two (I'm greedy!)
Goals - MK 26:06 - Jamieson, Assists - Poole, Emersic (powerplay)
Third Period
The third period didn't start well for Phoenix, at 44:29 Cingel was called for tripping and this time MK managed to take advantage of the extra man and tied the game at 46:06. After the MK goal, Phoenix started to speed up their game and at 52:19 Cingel broke away and took a shot from the left side of Mettam's net behind the goal, which managed to bounce off the back of the netminder and into the back of the net for his second of the night to the surprise of everyone! With 6:39 left on the clock, Phoenix called a time out and whatever Hand said to them seemed to do something because just under a minute later, Mr Cingel (that man again!) broke away and completed his hattrick! (Very well done!) MK could see the game was slipping away and with 1:11 left in the game they called a time out to plan their final attack. However the time slowly ticked down and the buzzer sounded for Phoenix to win the game.
Finally a good match report to write! Phoenix beat MK 4-2!! Ok, it wasn't the greatest performance, but my God us Phoenix fans really needed a win! The offensive play seemed to be working and I like the mis-matched combination of lines. Faith is a natural centre and I much prefer him playing there than on the left wing. The injury to Duggan, if long term, would be a massive blow to us. He has been a consistently good player so far this season and I have a sneaky suspicion that his shoulder may have gone again. I doubt that we'll be able to keep him off the ice for long though, he's a fighter! I've waffled on about Phoenix again and forgot to mention MK...MK were good but I think their missing players didn't help them tonight. Mettam was brilliant in net and when they broke away they look dangerous but Phoenix were better! Ha-Ha!
Goals - MK 46:06 - Jamieson, Assists - Poole, Emersic (powerplay), Phoenix 52:19 - Cingel (unassisted), Phoenix 57:41 - Cingel (unassisted)
Final Score - Phoenix 4 - MK 2
MOM - Phoenix - Cingel, MK - Jamieson
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