Martin Cingel celebrates with Slava Koulikov

TONY Hand paid tribute to his players after they battled back to claim a penalty shoot out win over Sheffield.

Steve Wallace, back after a broken wrist, fired the equaliser in regulation time then Slava Koulikov and Juraj Faith scored penalties to give Phoenix the extra point.

“The guys battled back well and I was really pleased with the way they played,” said Hand.

“Sheffield probably edged the first period but I thought we were the better team in the second and third.

“We were missing Tom Duggan and that put us down to one centremen but the lads worked hard all night and got the job done.”

Sheffield took the lead in the third minute through Ashley Calvert and then doubled it in the 12th when Stuart Brittle found a way past netminder Steve Fone.

Things were getting physical and to make matters worse the clock wasn’t working properly to confuse the referee.

Phoenix pulled a goal back early in the second when Martin Cingel batted the puck out of the air and past Ben Bowns.

Sheffield restored their two goal advantage through Brittle on the powerplay but Phoenix hit back again with Slava Koulikov firing home from Juraj Faith.

It was like a game of ping pong with goals flying in at both ends as Brittle completed his hat-trick before Ciaran Long and Steve Wallace netted for Phoenix to make it 4-4 going into the third period.

Slava Koulikov scores Phoenix's first penalty shot

The goal rush died down in the final session but the game was just as feisty and former Phoenix defenceman Pavel Gomeniuk received a match penalty for boarding on Josh Ward.

But Phoenix  couldn’t make the five minute powerplay pay and the game went into sudden death overtime and then penalties.

 Photos: Richard Allan