Phoenix breeze past Bees

Manchester Phoenix 6-1 Bracknell Bees

Man of the match Tom Duggan produced a superb hat-trick on Sunday night to lead top of the table Manchester Phoenix past Bracknell Bees.

Phoenix, who only played once this weekend, didn’t leave third gear and still dominated a Bracknell side chasing the final playoff spot.

By the end of the first period, the home side were 4-1 up, Curtis Huppe opened the scoring early which lead to further strikes from Stephen Wallace (2) and Duggan with only Michal Pinc replying for the visitors on the power play.

The game was killed off early in the second period as Duggan netted twice to complete his treble allowing Phoenix to preserve their energy for a busy week ahead.

The win meant Phoenix extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League to six points after title rivals Guildford suffered a 6-3 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms.

Tony Hand’s side now face a tough six matches in nine nights starting at Slough Jets on Saturday before hosting Milton Keynes Lightning on Sunday in Altrincham.

Then Phoenix turn their attention to the EPL Cup semi-final, travelling to Basingstoke on Tuesday, with the return leg against the Bison at the Ice Dome on Thursday. They finish the week with matches at Bracknell and home to Peterborough.

After the win against Bracknell, Tony Hand said: “I was really pleased with Tom Duggan. He has worked extremely hard recently, as has everyone, and he thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.

“The guys are getting some of that old confidence back, and that will be key for us as we go into the final part of the season.”