Phoenix title mission back on track

Manchester Phoenix 6-4 Peterborough Phantoms

After three consecutive defeats Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix are back on track in their pursuit of the English Premier League title.

Phoenix came from behind three times to beat sixth place Peterborough and hold a four point lead over closest rivals Guildford after they failed to earn a point last weekend.

The teams traded first period power-play goals as ex-Hull Stingray forward Jeff Glowa netted in the sixth minute before Marcus Kristoffersson brought the hosts level before the break.

Glowa scored a short-handed goal in the second period to give the visitors the lead once more but again Kristoffersson pulled Phoenix level to leave everything to play for in the final period.

The Phantoms scored first in an end to end third period with Maris Ziedins netting first from distance before Phoenix stormed back with four straight goals to take control.

First, Stephen Wallace equalized for the home side before Tony Hand was gifted a short-handed marker in the 45th minute after Phantoms netminder Stephen Wall gave the puck away behind the net. Curtis Huppe broke in on goal to score Phoenix’s fifth with an expert finish before Tom Duggan added a sixth.

Shaun Yardley added a late consolation for the visitors but with the points safe and Guildford losing 5-3 against Slough Jets, Phoenix extended their lead at the top.

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Rempel burns Phoenix with 4 goal blitz

Manchester Phoenix 4-5 Guildford Flames

Guildford Flames hot-shot Nathan Rempel has blown the English Premier League title race wide open after scoring four times against Manchester Phoenix on Sunday.

Phoenix entered the weekend’s games against the Flames with a five point lead at the top of the standings, but after back to back defeats to their title rivals, the gap has closed to just two points.

Marcus Kristoffersson opened the scoring for the home side with an early goal set up by a superb pass from Ladislav Harabin. But Guildford stormed back with Rempel netting a straight hat-trick before the end of the period.

Tony Hand rallied his side in the interval and by the end of the second period, they were level, goals from Curtis Huppe and Pavel Gomenyuk the result of a dominating period, out-shooting the Flames 16-5.

However two further goals from the Flames in the final period left Phoenix a mountain to climb, first Rempel added his fouth before Matt Towe extended the visitors lead to 5-3. Huppe managed to pull Phoenix to within a goal on the power-play in the 59th minute, but it was too little too late.

The previous night, Phoenix left Guildford with a point after losing 2-1 in overtime, Flames Martin Masa and Phoenix’s Huppe traded third period goals before Lukas Smital scored the winner in the extra period.

Tony Hand said after the match on Sunday: “The guys gave everything but we paid for our errors tonight.
“But we are still two points clear at the top of the league and there is plenty of character in this side. We’ll bounce back.”

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Phoenix outlast Steeldogs 3-2 in OT

Manchester Phoenix 3-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (After Over Time)

Manchester Phoenix were made to fight tooth and nail on Sunday night against rivals Sheffield, with an inspired Steeldogs netminder Ben Bowns leading the visitors into overtime against the league leaders.

The ‘War of the Roses’ clash was a bad tempered affair that saw Phoenix’s Andrew Sharp leave the game early with an ankle injury and Steeldogs’ defenceman Lloyd Gibson leave blood on the ice after a heavy collision with Tom Duggan before also leaving the match.

Stephen Wallace continued his goal-scoring form with a well taken wrap-around goal to give Phoenix the lead in the first period before Sheffield equalized early in the middle session through Edgar Bebris on the power-play.

Phoenix regained the lead through Marcus Kristoffersson in 44th minute but again the Steeldogs refused to let the home side get out of sight as Craig Elliot found the net in the 48th minute.

The closing minutes saw tempers rise further with Steeldogs’ Kris Jrundmanis receiving a match penalty for checking to the head of Ladislav Harabin, and Andre Payette gained 2+2+2 for slashing leaving the visitors shorthanded.

The resulting two-man power-play carried over into the overtime period and after a barrage of Phoenix shots, Sheffield netminder Bown’s defences were finally breached as Curtis Huppe deflected a Tony Hand shot into the net to seal the extra point.

Hand said after the match: “Tonight we showed character, and plenty of it. Sheffield came to stop us playing our hockey and snatch chances when they appeared. It was a testament to our guys that we stayed focused on our game and battled right to the end.”

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Phoenix extend lead at the top

Manchester Phoenix 5-2 Milton Keynes Lightning

Winger Stephen Wallace scored two goals and produced a man of the match performance on Sunday night leading Manchester Phoenix to a 5-2 win over the Milton Keynes Lightning.

Marcus Kristoffersson opened the scoring in the first period as his slap shot rang of the cross bar and in from a narrow angle before James Archer scored a rebound goal on the power-play for a two goal lead.

Lee Jamieson reduced the deficit with a power-play goal for the Lightning before the end of the first period but two quick goals early in the middle session put Phoenix in control.

Wallace netted the first of his double before Ben Morgan scored a bizarre goal that slipped through Lightning netminder Alex Mettam’s pads from distance.

Lightning closed the gap again with a strike from Andre Smulter after captain Luke Boothroyds stick broke leaving the Phoenix defence open. But Wallace ensured the home side would take a three goal lead into the second break.

The final period saw no further scoring and Phoenix have a three point lead at the top of the English Premier League.
Player coach Tony Hand said: “That was an excellent win for us, against one of the most difficult teams to play against in this league.
“We knew Milton Keynes would be strong and we were right, but we took the chances when they came, and we got two extremely lucky goals.”