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.”