The first period was played at a pace and with the physical checks being thrown by both sides ensured the game lived up to the title rather than a 'friendly'. The first casualty of the weekend was Steve Duncombe who was taken hard into the boards by Adam Walker only six minutes in and left the ice and the game with concussion.
Both teams were able to put some good scoring chances on net but Ben Bowns, in net for the Scimitars, and Steve Fone for Manchester made some good saves to keep their sheets clean for a 0-0 first period, despite powerplay opportunities for both teams. The Scimitars had a lucky break when Phoenix missed a sitter as Lachowicz failed to connect on a Tony Hand pass for an open net.
Manchester Phoenix stepped it up more in the 2nd period and had an early chance as the puck slid along the goal line. However, they did capitalise on a short-handed breakaway by Lachowicz at 25.39 for 0-1 whilst Iain Bowie was sitting out a penalty.
The Sheffield Scimitars equalised 1-1 at 34.00 after Daniel Slyk drew Steven Fone to the near post before sending a perfect pass to Stephen Wallace at 34.00.
Manchester took the lead again at 36.52 with Hand lifting the puck up high into the net. Play was getting chippy so Slyk decided to expend extra energy with some physical work on the opposition.
Simon Butterworth levelled the scores at 38.10 for 2-2 going into the 2nd period break.
3rd period, what turned out to be the game-winning goal was scored by Hagelberg at 42.07 despite the Scimitars driving the net in an attempt to at least level the score again. The Phoenix however were determined to defend their lead by preventing the Scimitars from any real scoring chances.
An entertaining and physical game was enjoyed by all, and although the Scimitars may have lost the game, they gained a lot of respect from their fans, fuelling anticipation and expectations for the upcoming season.
Game Details 12.9.09
Period Scores
Sheffield 0 - 2 - 0 = 2
Manchester 0 - 0 - 2 - 1 = 3
Penalty Mins
Sheffield 4 - 0 - 2 = 6
Manchester 4 - 4 - 2 = 10
SOG
Bowns 10 - 13 - 9 = 32/3
Fone 12 - 7 - 10 = 29/2
Scoring Details
Sheffield: Wallace & Butterworth 1+0, Archer, Slyk, Strawson & Millqvist 0+1
MOM: Lee Haywood
Manchester: Hand, Lachowicz & Hagelberg1+1, Neil 0+1
MOM: J. Hagelberg
Referee: D. Goodwin Linesmen: J. Liptrott and L. Sewell
Attendance: 633
Penalties: Archer, M. Haywood and Slamiar
Not icing: P Jones
