Bees battle with Phoenix to no avail

BRACKNELL, UK – The Bracknell Bees put in a brave performance before eventually going down 5-4 to the Manchester Phoenix at The Hive.

The Bees kept pace with the visitors throughout most of the game, but a late goal from Tony Hand was enough for Phoenix to condemn the Bees to their forth straight defeat.

Bees captain Terry Miles said: “I think we were very good against a well-organised team. Manchester have a lot of talent and experience in their line-up so it’s great that we stayed with them for the whole game. It’s just a shame we didn’t get at least a point from it.”

The home side were on the back-foot early on as James Neil’s shot crept past Bracknell netminder Carl Ambler. The Bees finally equalised with a 5-on-3. Jaroslav Cesky finished off a very patient passing move to give the hosts a deserved equaliser.

The Bees looked like they would take the tied score into the first intermission, but with seconds left on the clock Manchester retook the lead as Robert Lachowicz deflected the puck past Ambler from close range.

Terry Miles and Claude Dumas looked threatening with both having good scoring chances early on in the second period. However, Manchester responded as Jaakko Hagelberg scored with a quick shot. Bracknell’s Michal Pinc took a game misconduct penalty and this clearly fired up the Bees who grabbed two quick goals to stun the Phoenix. Dumas set up Miles on the rush and sixteen seconds later Dumas scored himself as he fired home from close range.

Manchester were on the back foot but finally retook the lead early in the third period. Tony Hand’s shot from the point was deflected past Ambler by Adam Walker to edge the away side in front with a 5-on-3 goal.

The Bees made their own two-man advantage count as Dumas pounced to get his second of the game. It looked like the game was set for overtime, but Manchester got the decisive goal. Ed Courtenay’s powerful shot from the point hit the iron and Hand was positioned to strike on the rebound.

Bracknell’s 48 penalty minutes could have made the score worse, but Ambler made an impressive 47 saves. Miles added: “I think we need to improve on our penalties as I feel it is a bit of a problem for us. Killing penalties takes a lot out of you, not only physically but mentally too.”