Manchester Phoenix 6 Peterborough Phantoms 4

Manchester Phoenix returned to the top of the EPL after a tough and often scrappy battle against the Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday night.

Phoenix had put 11 goals past Phantoms on their last visit, and it looked like another goal fest might be on the cards when Tony Hand put Phoenix ahead after just 76 seconds. Phoenix were dominant without ever moving into top gear, and it was no surprise when Robin Kovar doubled the lead with a superb solo effort on 10 minutes. James Archer grabbed a third after 13 minutes and it looked like Phoenix might run riot again, but Erik Piatak pulled a goal back for Phantoms just over a minute later.

Tempers flared seconds later when Jacob Corson-Heron went toe to toe with Phantoms’ Will Weldon on 14:48, both serving roughing penalties. If the intention was to ignite the Phantoms it didn’t work, as Michal Psurny scored a brilliant short-handed goal just before 17 minutes had elapsed.

If the first period belonged to Phoenix, it was Peterborough who dominated an extremely scrappy second period, outshooting Phoenix by 26 to four, although only former Phoenix star Slava Koulikov managed to net for Phantoms, scrabbling the puck over the line on 32 minutes while Phoenix were assessed a stream of minor penalties.

Phoenix regained some of their momentum in the final period, with another goal from Kovar on 45 minutes, and a sixth courtesy of Robert Schnabel on 50 minutes. Phantoms were not finished, however, and James Ferrara grabbed a third for Peterborough on 56 minutes. Phoenix gave backup net minder Paul Mawdsley some ice time for the final two minutes, but it was Phantoms who had the final word when Ferrara grabbed another with 30 seconds remaining.

The win puts Phoenix back on top of the table just ahead of Basingstoke Bison, with the opportunity to open up a gap at the top if they can win their game away against Milton Keynes Lightning on Monday, and they are at home to Swindon Wildcats next Sunday 5 January, starting at 5:30pm.