Bison no match for hot Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix 3-1 Basingstoke Bison

Player coach Tony Hand led by example on Sunday night as Manchester Phoenix continued there red hot start to the season.

Hand scored two goals and assisted another as Phoenix beat the Bison and maintained there 100% record with four wins from four.

Phoenix, who also beat last years league champions Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday night 6-3, opened the scoring in the 5th minute. Hand rang a slap shot off the goal post, but the puck eventually slid in the net after hitting Bison goalie Tom Annetts.

The homeside doubled their lead only minutes later as a swift counter attack saw Hand and Ben Morgan undo the Bison defence leaving Curtis Huppe with the easiest of finishes at the side of the net.

With Phoenix reduced to three men on the ice through penalties to Tom Duggan and Luke Boothroyd, Tony Hand stole the puck in the 31st minute and raced in on goal to score a shorthanded marker for a 3-0 lead.

Bison scored a late consolation goal through Ondrej Lauko to ruin Steve Fone’s shut out hopes.

Tony Hand said after the match: “Coming on the back of our outstanding win in Milton Keynes, this is just what we wanted to keep the momentum going.

“It was a great result and a great show of strength, discipline and determination by the guys.”

The match would also prove to be forward Dean Holland’s last, he was released by the club so he could go back to Newcastle.

Hand said: “Dean wants to go back home to Newcastle and we are not going to stand in his way.
“He moved here but I think his heart was in Newcastle. So good luck to the lad and we wish him all the best.”

Phoenix retain War of the Roses Trophy

Manchester Phoenix 6-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (Phoenix win on agg 13-5)

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix have started their new season by thrashing their Yorkshire rivals twice in three days.

Phoenix warmed up for their new season with a War of the Roses clash against the Sheffield Steeldogs and after beating them 7-3 at Ice Sheffield on Friday, returned to the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday to win 6-2.

On Sunday, a four goal showing from sniper Curtis Huppe along with goals from James Neil and James Archer set Phoenix on course to retain the pre-season trophy they won last year. Steeldogs responded with goals from Peter Vaisenen and Tom Squires but Phoenix were in total control.

But there was no lack of passion in the ‘friendly’ encounter between the two sides as both Phoenix coach Tony Hand and Dean Holland received roughing penalties in a fiery last few minutes that left blood on the ice.

Hand said after the match, “I was very pleased tonight. We started to show people what this team is all about. They worked for each other, they are starting to understand each other, they hit hard and they score goals.

“I know we are going to be a match for anyone this term. It’s been a good way to launch our season.”

Phoenix travel to Basingstoke on Saturday before entertaining playoff champions Slough Jets on Sunday at the Ice Dome.