The game was tied at four all after the second period but the ice surface had deteriorated badly.
Repeated attempts to repair it failed and after a delay of 35 minutes it was decided it was too dangerous to play on.
After discussions with league representatives, Phoenix coach Tony Hand and his Newcastle counterpart Rob Wilson decided to declare the game tied but decide who gained the extra point with a penalty shoot-out.
Phoenix forward Adam Walker was the sudden death hero, firing in two penalties with further scores from David Beauregard and Bruce Mulherin to win the shoot out 4-3.
“We had no option with the ice,” said Hand. “It was too dangerous to play on and was melting through to the paint below.
“But after discussions with Newcastle and the league we decided to have the shoot-out and I have to say, Adam Walker’s penalties were world class.” It was the second win of the weekend for Phoenix, who had beaten had win 4-3 against Hull Stingrays 4-3 the night before.
Phoenix went a goal down last night in the second minute through Tyler Willis but hit back with two goals in 25 seconds from Grant Jacobsen and Kyle Bruce.
But a defensive mistake from Josh Garbutt let in Marek Ivan to equalise and Todd Griffith put Vipers ahead just before the first break.
The second period kicked off in sensational style. Within seconds of the restart, Beauregard levelled the scores then Bruce and Willis had a fallout and went toe to toe, both receiving five-5minute fighting penalties.
Phoenix got into penalty trouble and at one point had four players in the penalty box.
Not surprisingly, Newcastle made the most of it with Ivan scoring his second goal on a two-man advantage.
But the home side weathered the storm and Beauregard found the back of the net on his second attempt to make it 4-4 at the second break.
When the officials deemed the ice too bad to carry on, the penalty shoot-out sent the fans home happy.
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