Melissa Taylor scored twice as Coventry Phoenix came from level to beat Invicta Dynamics 3–2 in a feisty women's fixture that grew increasingly physical as the clock ticked down.

The Phoenix had the lead twice and surrendered it both times before Taylor settled matters with an unassisted finish midway through the third period — and Coventry's defence did the rest, weathering a succession of penalties to protect the two-goal advantage.

A tight opening period

Taylor opened the scoring at 13:50 of the first period, finishing after good work from Lucy Farestvedt and Jasmine Richardson to give the Phoenix an early foothold. Invicta absorbed the blow and picked up a bench penalty for too many players on the ice before the period ended, but they went into the first intermission a goal down and with work to do.

Invicta hit back — and then Coventry did too

The second period was all four goals and increasingly frayed tempers. Freya McCune levelled for the Dynamics at 25:22, converting an even-strength chance assisted by Heidi Steggles. Chelsea Meaney then gave Invicta the lead just under five minutes later — Melissa Prowse setting her up to flip the scoreboard for the first time in the game.

Coventry didn't stay behind for long. Jasmine Richardson — who had assisted Taylor's opener — got herself on the scoresheet at 34:21, tucking away a finish after being found by Alice Rothnie to make it 2–2.

The final moments of the second period turned fractious. A fighting major for Coventry's Victoria Brentville coincided with a delay of game call against Invicta's Chelsea Meaney, and a roughing exchange between Anna Chiara Beltrami and Jennifer Mabey followed minutes later. Both sides went to the second intermission level and a little hot under the collar.

Taylor seals it; Phoenix hang on

Taylor's winner came at 48:36 of the third — a composed unassisted finish to restore the Phoenix lead and ultimately decide the match. Invicta pressed to find an equaliser, and a string of Coventry penalties — Jasmine Richardson for kneeing, Jennifer Mabey for cross-checking, and Nicola Blower for charging — gave the Dynamics every opportunity to level.

Result: Coventry Phoenix 3–2 Invicta Dynamics

Goals:

13:50 — Coventry Phoenix: Melissa Taylor (EV) — assisted by Lucy Farestvedt, Jasmine Richardson
25:22 — Invicta Dynamics: Freya McCune (EV) — assisted by Heidi Steggles
30:05 — Invicta Dynamics: Chelsea Meaney (EV) — assisted by Melissa Prowse
34:21 — Coventry Phoenix: Jasmine Richardson (EV) — assisted by Alice Rothnie
48:36 — Coventry Phoenix: Melissa Taylor (EV) — unassisted

Penalties:

17:17 — Invicta Dynamics: Bench (too many on ice), 2 min
35:40 — Invicta Dynamics: Chelsea Meaney (delay of game), 2 min; Coventry Phoenix: Victoria Brentville (fighting), 5 min
37:44 — Invicta Dynamics: Anna Chiara Beltrami (roughing), 2 min; Coventry Phoenix: Jennifer Mabey (roughing), 2 min
50:27 — Coventry Phoenix: Jasmine Richardson (kneeing), 2 min
51:17 — Coventry Phoenix: Jennifer Mabey (cross-checking), 2 min; Invicta Dynamics: Laura Podstawka (elbowing), 2 min
53:29 — Coventry Phoenix: Nicola Blower (charging), 2 min
57:12 — Invicta Dynamics: Tammy Phipps (check to the head), 2 min