Manchester Phoenix 8 Sheffield Steeldogs 2

The new year finally exploded into life for Manchester Phoenix last night, as they handed out a comprehensive thumping to trans-Pennine rivals Sheffield Steeldogs.

Phoenix, still missing Luke Boothroyd and Jacob Corson-Heron through injury, were determined to avenge the narrow 4-3 defeat at Sheffield last week, and were desperate to get back to winning ways after 2014 ended on a dud note with back to back 6-2 hammerings at the hands of league leaders Telford Tigers.

Manchester came out very strong and virtually blew Sheffield away in a torrid opening 20 minutes for the Yorkshire side. They camped in the Steeldogs’ zone for the opening five minutes and deservedly took the lead on 6.43 when Frankie Bakrlik swept a shot through the five hole of Dalibor Sedlar. Just over 30 seconds later it was 2-0 as Michal Psurny was in the right place at the right time. With less than 10 minutes gone, Phoenix were 3-0 after a superbly-taken goal by Bobby Chamberlain. Goal number four came just three minutes later when Jack Watkins hit a sweet a one timer. The home side rounded off an excellent period of attractive, attacking hockey with goal number five on 19.43 as Ben Wood spun on a sixpence and back handed the puck past the helpless Sheffield netminder.

Steeldogs changed their netminder for the start of the second period with Bradley John Day replacing Sedlar. Sheffield, who have been the form team in the league recently, pulled a goal back on 23.07 through Andrew Hirst, but just over two minutes later, Frankie Bakrlik hit his second of the night to make it 6-1. Sheffield grabbed a second marker with a Janis Ozolins powerplay goal on 30 minutes.

The third period was a quieter affair with Phoenix coasting towards the points and increased their lead on 53 minutes through James Archer, and the final goal of the evening came a minute later when Joe Graham got on the scoresheet.

Coach Tony Hand said: “I am really pleased with the whole team tonight. We talked about going for it right from the start and that is exactly what we did. I asked the team to step up and they all did tonight.”

Phoenix are at home to Telford Tigers on Sunday 11 January, and the game starts at 5:30pm.