Huppe leads Phoenix thrashing of Cats

Manchester Phoenix 9-3 Swindon Wildcats

Sniper Curtis Huppe lead Manchester Phoenix to a demolition of Swindon Wildcats on Saturday night with a four goal showing whilst putting to bed his cold streak in front of goal.

Swede Marcus Kristoffersson scored the opening goal shorthanded in the 6th minute and ignited a rampant Phoenix offence. Huppe netted his first of the night and James Archer scored a superb solo goal for a 3-0 lead at the first break but it could have been worse for the visitors if not for the netminding of Wildcats stopper James Hadfield.

Tom Duggan added his name to the score sheet early in the second period and Huppe netted a straight hat-trick to break Hadfield’s resistance completely, whilst Swindon got themselves on the board through Josef Liska before Manchester replaced Steve Fone with Adam Summerfield in the home net.

Kristoffersson and Archer rounded out the Phoenix scoring in the final period whilst the Wildcats scored two late consolation strikes.

Phoenix are now level on the points with Guildford Flames at the top of the EPL standings after beating Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday night 4-0 whilst the Flames lost 5-4 in overtime against Telford Tigers.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand said: “It was nice to see Curtis get back into the scoring habit, though I knew he would.
“Our title challenge is back on track, and that’s the most important thing.”