EPL ICE HOCKEY:

Saturday: Swindon Wildcats 3 Manchester Phoenix 3

Sunday: Manchester Phoenix 6 Swindon Wildcats 2 

Manchester Phoenix sent a sizeable home crowd happy with a resounding win over Swindon Wildcats on Sunday. After their 3-3 draw in Swindon on Saturday which saw new signing Stanislav Gron score the equalising goal with just 46 seconds remaining, they came out of the traps fast and furious just like they did the previous evening. The home side went in front on nine minutes through Robin Kovar. Nico Aaltonen made it 2-0 on 15 minutes with Phoenix dominating the match. 

Swindon came back at Phoenix in the second but an outstanding individual goal from Michal Satek on 28 minutes made it 3-0. 

Swindon continued to have their chances and found themselves on a five on three powerplay after a Ben Wood roughing call and a Luke Boothroyd delay of game penalty. However, Phoenix punished some slack defending by Swindon with a short handed goal by Robin Kovar.

Then came the Stephen Fone show as the Phoenix goalie pulled off a string of saves - including a triple save -  to maintain the lead. 

The third period began with a similar story as Phoenix continued to put the visitors under pressure. James Archer fell foul of the referee and found himself in the box for hooking but once again Robin Kovar roofed the puck on the resultant short handed power play There was time for one more Phoenix goal when Stanislav Gron found the net on 48.31 to make the score 6-0. Phoenix showed signs of tiredness in the last 10 minutes and Swindon scored a couple of consolation goals on 53 and 57 minutes to take the edge off a truly dominant performance.

Phoenix’s next games are against Telford Tigers with the Sunday game at Deeside with an 6.30pm face off.