Phoenix double up Tigers

Manchester Phoenix 4-2 Telford Tigers

Forward Stephen Wallace broke a 2-2 tie early in the final period and Juraj Faith added an empty net goal to help lead Manchester Phoenix past Telford on Saturday.

Phoenix, still hopeful of catching league leaders Guildford, beat the Tigers 4-3 away on Sunday as well for a maximum points weekend.

On Saturday, Tom Duggan rang a shot off the cross bar and then hit the post before player coach Tony Hand finally opened the scoring in the 13th minute to give Phoenix the lead at the first interval.

But Telford drew level early in the second period through Josh Henry before
Ciaran Long restored the home sides lead once more in the 36th minute.

Phoenix captain Luke Boothroyd’s bad pass in his own zone gifted the Tigers an equalizer through Scott McKenzie which sent the sides into the second break all square.

Wallace scored the game winner in the 44th minute as the puck slid under a clawing Tigers netminder Declan Ryan before Faith added an empty net goal with a second left on the clock.

Phoenix now lie six points behind leaders Guildford with six games left whilst they have a four point cushion over third placed Sheffield.

Hand said after the game: “All credit to Telford they worked hard all night and made things difficult for us. I thought we lost a very soft goal to make it 2-2 but we took control in the third to take the points.”