Bison capitalize on Phoenix slump

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.