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Manchester Phoenix 2-4 Basingstoke Bison
Manchester Phoenix’s recent bad home form continued on Sunday night as they fell to visitors Basingstoke Bison as they failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Phoenix, now four points adrift of third place Guildford Flames, lost their third straight home game and conceded a worrying 18 goals whilst only scoring 6 over the bad stretch.
Ed Courtenay created Phoenix’s best chance of the first period, crashing a shot against the cross bar. But the visitors took the lead on the powerplay with a goal from Bison player coach Steve Moria and Ondrej Lauko doubled their advantage before the intermission.
Courtenay brought Phoenix level before the 28 minute mark with two goals in quick succession, the first coming on the poweplay. But for all their hard work, the Phoenix defence failed them again, Steve Fone was beaten by Moria for a second time before Shaun Thompson added a fourth for the visitors.
Phoenix pressured the Bison defence in the final period but Tom Annetts in the visitors net was in good form and there was to be no second come back.
Manchester Phoenix 2-8 Milton Keynes Lightning
Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix were handed a semi final first leg thrashing by league leading Milton Keynes Lightning on Thursday night that now leaves them with very little chance of reaching the EPL cup final.
Milton Keynes arrived late at the Altrincham Ice Dome after being caught in traffic but it was the home side which looked tired and flat throughout what was the most important game of the season.
Joe Graham gave Phoenix the lead in the 9th minute on the powerplay, but three goals from the Lighting before the end of period saw the visitors firmly in control, Lewis Christie, Andre Smulter and Nick Poole all finding the net.
And the second period saw no let up in the Lightning’s dominance, Lukas Zatopek, Leigh Jamieson and Russ Bowers all converted for the visitors as Steve Fone in the Manchester net struggled to deal with the Lightning onslaught, a lone Adam Walker goal was all Phoenix could manage.
Smulter and Monir Kalgoum added further goals in the third period to all but seal their place in the final before the second leg has even took place leaving Phoenix with an embarrassing home defeat.
Manchester Phoenix 2-6 Guildford Flames
Manchester Phoenix’s four game winning run came to a disappointing end on Sunday night as the Guildford Flames left Altrincham Ice Dome with two points for the second time this season.
In their final game of the season at the Dome, the Flames played the perfect road game against the Phoenix, as the hosts looked out of ideas and were unable to muster much offensively whilst the leaky home-defence was again at fault.
Guildford opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Tom Duggan, but Stephen Wallace replied with a breakaway goal in the 18th minute. An early second period double saw the visitors take control, Lubomir Hurtaj and Nathan Rempel both beating Steve Fone in the Manchester net by the 25th minute. Ed Courtenay pulled a goal back in the 34th minute before a fluke Martin Masa goal restored the Flames two goal cushion.
The third period saw Phoenix frustrations boil over with both Ed Courtenay and Andre Payette receiving 10 minute Misconduct penalties, whilst the Flames continued to hit the net. Goals from Stuart Potts and a shorthanded goal from Martin Masa sealed the points.
Player coach Tony Hand commented,“We got what we deserved this evening, nothing. That might sound harsh, but we just didn’t get going tonight and credit to Guildford, they were very good and shut us down very effectively.”
Manchester Phoenix 12-3 Romford Raiders
Canadian winger Andre Payette ignited a first period demolition of bottom club Romford Raiders on Sunday as the Manchester Phoenix secured their first four point weekend since the beginning of December.
Phoenix’s recent return to form has seen them win five of the last six games and moved them up to third in the English Premier League. On Saturday night, Phoenix came away from Guildford 4-1 victors and earn a valuable two points in their hunt for the league title.
Commenting on the two wins, player coach Tony Hand said, “This weekend will give us a great lift. We’ve had guys missing for one reason or another and we’ve taken four valuable points”
“We wanted to get the win tonight and with no disrespect to Romford, we knew we had a chance to improve our goal difference. Everyone played well on Saturday and they did again tonight.”
In the opening period against the Raiders, Phoenix netted six times effectively ending the contest early. Payette (3), Greg Wood, Robert Lachowicz and Joe Graham all finding their way past Charlie Kaylor in the Romford net, whilst the visitors replied through Matt Turner and Frankie Harvey.
Further goals from Payette, Lachowicz and Graham were added to by Adam Walker, Tony Hand and Stephen Wallace to complete the home scoring before Frankie Harvey added a late consolation.
