Phoenix are EPL Champions 2010/11

Manchester Phoenix 5-2 Swindon Wildcats

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix finally sealed their first ever piece of silverware on Sunday night as they beat Swindon Wildcats.

A packed Altrincham Ice Dome saw Phoenix claim the English Premier League title after switching from the Elite League two seasons ago, but it wasn’t without a dramatic final league match.

Phoenix, who missed a chance to seal the title on Saturday after losing 6-2 at Peterborough Phantoms, took a two goal lead with goals from Pavel Gomeniuk and James Archer.

But just as Phoenix appeared to be cruising to the finish line, player coach Hand was thrown out of the game with a high-sticking penalty leaving Phoenix to play the match out without their leader.

Swindon netted on the resulting power play through Egidijus Bauba leaving the home side with a one goal lead at the break.

The second period finished goalless with the Wildcats keeping Phoenix at bay whilst threatening to ruin the night for the home side.

But like so many times this season, Phoenix came through, two quick third period goals from Stephen Wallace and James Archer with his second of the night saw the champions flying.

Swindon responded with a second goal from James Knight but the Phoenix defence stood firm and Curtis Huppe fired in an empty net goal in the final minute to cue celebrations both on the ice and off it as Phoenix clinched the title.

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Phoenix title down to the wire as Jets fly by.

Manchester Phoenix 4-6 Slough Jets

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix will have to wait until the final weekend of the regular season to lift the EPL title after losing 6-4 to Slough Jets on Thursday.

Phoenix, who bounced back with a 6-5 win against Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday, need one point from their remaining two games against Peterborough and Swindon.

On Thursday, Phoenix went down against Slough at the Altrincham Ice Dome in a tight game that was only decided in the final minute as the Jets struck an empty net goal.

Goals from Ben Morgan and Tony Hand were countered by strikes by Darius Pliskauskas and Nicky Watt leaving the teams even at the first break.

Morgan again gave Phoenix the lead in the middle session but a mix up between netminder Steve Fone and Pavel Gomeniuk left Shaun Thompson to score shorthanded for the visitors.

Curtis Huppe restored the home sides lead going into the final period but the Jets came out flying in the third period scoring twice through Adam Calder and Pliskauskas before sealing the win with an empty net strike as Phoenix pushed forward.

Player coach Hand said: “We lost concentration at times, and we were punished. We played some great hockey and so did the Jets, but this is a wakeup call to everyone that there is still everything to play for, and we cannot lose focus at this stage of the campaign.”

Phoenix travel to Peterborough on Saturday, where a win would seal the league title before entertaining Swindon Wildcats at home on Sunday in the final regular season game.

Kristoffersson avenges cup defeat with four goals in Bison win

Manchester Phoenix 5-2 Basingstoke Bison

Super Swede Marcus Kristoffersson scored four times on Sunday against Basingstoke Bison, avenging their recent cup exit whilst strengthening Phoenix’s grasp on the league title.

Phoenix now only need three points to win their first piece of major silverware since they were born out of the ashes of Manchester Storm in 2003.

Bison, who eliminated Phoenix in the EPL Cup semi final only a couple of weeks ago, took the lead in the first period with a goal from Callum Best in the 11th minute.

But Phoenix came back strong in the middle session scoring four times.

First Kristoffersson levelled the game in the 25th minute with a crash-the-net tap in before blasting a slap shot past Bison netminder Dean Skinns to take the lead.

Curtis Huppe added a third before the Bison replied short-handed thanks to Ciaron Long, tapping in a rebound past a beaten Steve Fone after his original effort hit the post.

However during the same powerplay, Kristoffersson restored Phoenix’s two goal cushion and the Swede struck again with an empty net goal in the final minute.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand said: “That was a huge two points for us. Bison have given us problems all season, and to get two points at this stage was vital.

“We know what we need to do. No-one is counting any chickens – I won’t allow that – but confidence in the locker room is high. We’ll take each game as it comes.”

Phoenix poised for fiery playoff encounter with Sheffield

Sheffield Steeldogs 2-5 Manchester Phoenix

Enforcer Andrew Sharp showed his metal on Sunday night in what could have been a dress rehearsal for Manchester Phoenix’s first round playoff match up.

Sharp dropped the gloves three times with ex-Phoenix hard-man and Sheffield player coach Andre Payette in a fiery encounter.

Phoenix, currently needing seven points to clinch the league title, look likely to play their Yorkshire rivals in the quarterfinals of the playoffs and both teams fired warnings on Sunday.

Sheffield took a 2-0 lead with goals from Lloyd Gibson and Janis Ozolins, but Phoenix, like so many times this season, rose to the challenge.

The champions elect scored five unanswered goals across two periods from Curtis Huppe (2), Tony Hand, Ben Morgan and an empty net goal from Stephen Wallace to seal another important two points.

However with Phoenix needing overtime to beat Sheffield at the Altrincham Ice Dome on their last visit, player coach Tony Hand must be warning his players of the task that awaits them once the playoffs begin in April.

Phoenix continue their march for the title this weekend with an away game at Swindon Wildcats before entertaining Basingstoke Bison on Sunday in Altrincham.

Phoenix close in on first league title.

Manchester Phoenix 6-3 Telford Tigers

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix are one step closer to securing their first league title in their history after back to back wins against bottom club Telford Tigers.

Phoenix secured a four point weekend with a close fought 4-2 win in Telford on Saturday before beating the same side 6-3 in Altrincham on Sunday.

It took until the final two minutes on Saturday for Phoenix to beat a resolute Tigers who pushed the champions elect all the way. Marcus Kristoffersson netted twice in the closing stages to seal the win but it was a different story on Sunday as Phoenix raced into a five goal lead.

Tigers netminder Martin Clarkson produced some early sparkling saves to deny the Phoenix forwards but goals from Kristoffesson, short handed and on the power play, gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead at the break.

Further goals from Stephen Wallace, Greg Wood and Huppe pushed the home side into a 5-0 lead and cruising to another two points.

At this point Phoenix netminder Steve Fone was replaced by Adam Summerfield to get some rare ice time, but the Congelton born shot stopper was beaten three times quickly as the Phoenix defence went to sleep with Tigers’ Daniel Mackriel (2) and Jack Watkins pulling the visitors back into the match.

However, with Fone back in the net for the final period, Kristoffesson netted his fifth of the weekend with a power play goal to kill the Tigers comeback attempt.

Phoenix now need nine points to clinch the EPL title with Tony Hand’s side holding an eight point lead over second place Guildford Flames.

Player coach Hand said: “I knew we had a tough, tough period coming from the end of January. There have been a lot of high-pressure games, one after another, and it’s taken its toll. The guys are understandably tired.

“But we’re through it and we’re still top. We can have a good rest now, with no game until next Sunday at Sheffield, when we can come back refreshed and focused on the final run-in.”