Phoenix still flying high

MANCHESTER Phoenix recorded an impressive penalty shootout win over the Sheffield Steelers to maintain their early-season resurgence.

David Beauregard was once again the hero, netting the only successful shot after the game had been tied 1-1.

It was just rewards for Phoenix, who had proved more than a match for their more illustrious opponents all night.

Sheffield went ahead on 10 minutes when they soaked up all the pressure and hit Manchester on the break - Rod Sarich firing a shot into Stephen Murphy’s top right hand corner.

Phoenix fired shot after shot on Jody Lehman, but found the netminder - in his last season in England - on form.

But David Beauregard notched up his ninth of the season when he caught the Steelers shorthanded one minute before the end of the second period.

The third and subsequent overtime periods were all Phoenix but they couldn’t find a way through a resolute defence and their own frailties in front of goal.

It was then left for Beauregard to notch up the win, in front of an ecstatic home support, and keep Phoenix flying high.

On Saturday, Manchester travelled to Newcastle, dominated most of the play, but lost 2-1 in a shootout.

Phoenix consistently hit the frame of the goal, but couldn’t convert the many opportunities that came their way to win the match.

Bruce Mulherin scored Manchester’s solitary marker.

The weekend’s results gave Phoenix three points and kept them in touch with Nottingham at the top of the bmibaby Elite League.