|
|
|
|
|
|
MANCHESTER, UK - MANCHESTER Phoenix face an uphill struggle to retain their English Premier League title after they dropped a point at Bracknell Bees. Lukas Smital scored two minutes into overtime to condemn Tony Hand's side to a 4-3 defeat. It was only Phoenix' second defeat in twelve matches but it leaves the six-point gap to Guildford Flames, who have a game in hand, all the more daunting. After coming through a physical win over Sheffield on Thursday, Manchester's skill should have been too much for the Bees. But their hosts took the lead on three minutes when Martin Masa combined with James Galazzi for Smital to bag his first. Martin Cingel replied on the powerplay early in the second period then Juraj Faith put them ahead. Peter Jasik equalised before the end of the second period and then Brad Watchorn turned the match on its head. Phoenix cranked up the pressure to find the leveller and were rewarded when Tom Duggan cooly fired home a penalty shot with 12 to go. But neither side could find the breakthrough and had to settle for a point each at the end of regulation. Phoenix mustered two shots on goal in the extra period but it was the home side that gained the points – Smital latching on to Masa's pass. To contact the author email: Mike.Appleton@prohockeynews.com © Copyright 2012 by Prohockeynews.com Top of Page |
|
 |
