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.”