Summerfield keeps Phoenix hot

Manchester Phoenix 4-2 Sheffield Steeldogs

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix have some daylight between themselves and second place Guildford Flames after another back to back winning weekend.

Guildford lost 4-2 against Slough on Sunday whilst Phoenix edged past Sheffield on Saturday before thrashing bottom place Telford 8-2 the following night.

Back up netminder Adam Summerfield started his first game of the season at the Altrincham Ice Dome on Saturday with Steve Fone still recovering from his head injury last week.

Summerfield produced a good performance in a match that was in the balance until midway through the third period when Ben Wood found the net giving the home side a two goal cushion.

Phoenix opened the scoring through Marcus Kristofferson, but Sheffield equalized through Edgar Bebris. Curtis Huppe restored the home sides lead in the 15th minute but the second period saw the visitors again draw level after a great solo effort by Andrew Hirst was finished with a rising wrist shot that Summerfield had little chance of saving.

Man of the match James Archer gave the Phoenix the lead for a third time in the 29th minute before missing a penalty shot but Ben Wood sealed the victory late on, finally beating Sheffield netminder Ben Bowns after a barrage of third period pressure.

Phoenix double up Bees

Manchester Phoenix 7-4 Bracknell Bees

Manchester Phoenix completed a weekend double over Bracknell Bees to remain top of the English Premier League, but not before losing two players to injury.

Phoenix netminder Steve Fone was struck in the head by a howitzer shot from Bees sniper Jaroslav Cesky that has left him needing eight stitches.

Whilst forward Ben Wood suffered a shoulder injury in the home victory on Sunday as well, leaving the Phoenix bench short on numbers.

Rookie 17 year old goalie Bobby Browne had to step in for the injured Fone, and after a nervous start, helped Phoenix to another home victory.

Player coach Tony Hand said: “We’ll assess Steve Fone and Ben Wood properly this week and ascertain how serious the injuries are, but I know they will both want to be back on the ice as soon as they physically can.

After winning 7-1 in Bracknell on Saturday, hat-tricks from Marcus Kristoffersson, Greg Wood and a powerplay strike from Ben Morgan set Phoenix on their way to another 2 points on Sunday.

Bracknell made the score more respectable in the third period with 3 unanswered goals from Sam Waller, Ashley Calvert and Michal Pinc.

Phoenix’s injured stars now face a race against time to be fit for this weekends games against Sheffield Steeldogs at home on Saturday and Telford Tigers away on Sunday.

Phoenix first period blitz sinks Wildcats

Manchester Phoenix 7-3 Swindon Wildcats

Six first period goals on Sunday night helped Manchester Phoenix to another four point weekend and take Tony Hand’s team to the top of the league.

Phoenix, who were looking for revenge after losing to the Wildcats on penalty shots last week, flew out of the blocks early and Pavel Gomenuik opened the scoring in the 8th minute before Graham Newell equalized for the visitors.

However five unanswered goals saw Phoenix out of sight with Curtis Huppe, James Archer, Greg Wood, Ben Wood and Marcus Kristoffersson all scoring before the first interval leaving Wildcats netminder Chris Douglas stunned.

Credit went to the visitors in the second period as they scored two straight goals from Josef Kohut and Ryan Watt and it could have been worse for Phoenix who had netminder Steve Fone to thank after he stopped a Kohut penalty shot.

Tony Hand finished the scoring in the third period with a powerplay goal and he said after the match: “We came out like a train in the first period and we could have had more goals.

“It was clear that we took our foot off the gas in the second period and we got punished for it.

“Overall I’m delighted with they way we’ve started the season. It’s still early days but it’s nice to be in top spot.”

Ex-Phoenix stopper Murphy shines against Bruins

Belfast Giants Selects 1-5 Boston Bruins

Former Manchester Phoenix goaltender Stephen Murphy shone the brightest on Saturday night against National Hockey League side Boston Bruins.

The Bruins travelled across the water to face-off against a Belfast Giants Selects side comprising of players from around the Elite League which also included other ex-Phoenix stars Luke Fulghum and David Beauregard.

Murphy was given the start against a full strength Boston side boasting NHL stars like Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi, Milan Lucic, Michael Ryder and goalie Tuukka Rask.

For half the match, the Elite stars and in particular, Murphy, stood firm despite constant Bruins pressure and then surprisingly took the lead late in the second period through Nottingham’s Jade Galbraith. He snapped a shot high glove side past Rask much to the delight of a packed Odyssey Arena.

However this only served as a wake up call for the Bruins as they turned the game on its head within minutes of the restart, scoring three quick goals from Tyler Seguin, Chara and Brad Marchand to lead 3-1 at the second interval.

In the third period, the Giants tried to get back in the match but all hopes were extinguished by a fourth goal from the Bruins, Milan Lucic firing a wrist shot through Murphy before Boston were awarded a penalty shot in the dying minutes which was expertly dispatched by NHL new boy Seguin.

Murphy finished with 40 saves and for long periods kept the Boston attack at bay, his saves included a fine stop on Bruins captain Chara whilst he was on a breakaway.

Meanwhile Manchester Phoenix continued their impressive start to the season, picking up another three points last weekend. Tony Hand’s side beat Milton Keynes Lightning at the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday 5-2 after losing on penalty shots to Swindon Wildcats the night before.

Bison no match for hot Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix 3-1 Basingstoke Bison

Player coach Tony Hand led by example on Sunday night as Manchester Phoenix continued there red hot start to the season.

Hand scored two goals and assisted another as Phoenix beat the Bison and maintained there 100% record with four wins from four.

Phoenix, who also beat last years league champions Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday night 6-3, opened the scoring in the 5th minute. Hand rang a slap shot off the goal post, but the puck eventually slid in the net after hitting Bison goalie Tom Annetts.

The homeside doubled their lead only minutes later as a swift counter attack saw Hand and Ben Morgan undo the Bison defence leaving Curtis Huppe with the easiest of finishes at the side of the net.

With Phoenix reduced to three men on the ice through penalties to Tom Duggan and Luke Boothroyd, Tony Hand stole the puck in the 31st minute and raced in on goal to score a shorthanded marker for a 3-0 lead.

Bison scored a late consolation goal through Ondrej Lauko to ruin Steve Fone’s shut out hopes.

Tony Hand said after the match: “Coming on the back of our outstanding win in Milton Keynes, this is just what we wanted to keep the momentum going.

“It was a great result and a great show of strength, discipline and determination by the guys.”

The match would also prove to be forward Dean Holland’s last, he was released by the club so he could go back to Newcastle.

Hand said: “Dean wants to go back home to Newcastle and we are not going to stand in his way.
“He moved here but I think his heart was in Newcastle. So good luck to the lad and we wish him all the best.”

Phoenix retain War of the Roses Trophy

Manchester Phoenix 6-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (Phoenix win on agg 13-5)

Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix have started their new season by thrashing their Yorkshire rivals twice in three days.

Phoenix warmed up for their new season with a War of the Roses clash against the Sheffield Steeldogs and after beating them 7-3 at Ice Sheffield on Friday, returned to the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday to win 6-2.

On Sunday, a four goal showing from sniper Curtis Huppe along with goals from James Neil and James Archer set Phoenix on course to retain the pre-season trophy they won last year. Steeldogs responded with goals from Peter Vaisenen and Tom Squires but Phoenix were in total control.

But there was no lack of passion in the ‘friendly’ encounter between the two sides as both Phoenix coach Tony Hand and Dean Holland received roughing penalties in a fiery last few minutes that left blood on the ice.

Hand said after the match, “I was very pleased tonight. We started to show people what this team is all about. They worked for each other, they are starting to understand each other, they hit hard and they score goals.

“I know we are going to be a match for anyone this term. It’s been a good way to launch our season.”

Phoenix travel to Basingstoke on Saturday before entertaining playoff champions Slough Jets on Sunday at the Ice Dome.

Swedish Star Joins Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix player coach Tony Hand has moved one step closer to completing his team for the new ice hockey season.

Swede Marcus Kristoffersson has joined the Altrincham based club and has a wealth of experience in North America and Scandinavia. His previous clubs include the Utah Grizzlies of the American Hockey League and he has played in over 200 games in the Elitserien, the top league in Sweden.

The 31 year old winger does not have a prolific goal scoring record, but Hand knows how valuable this player will be for the coming season.

Hand said: “I am really pleased to get Marcus. He will bring a lot to our game next season. He's big, he's powerful, he gets goals, he hits, he checks, he does everything.

“He will track back and help his team when he's on the ice. I didn't really want just an out and out goal-scorer because we needed more options to our game. Marcus fits the bill perfectly.”

When asked about his move to Manchester, Kristoffersson said that a player from last season helped his decision.

“I heard a lot of good things about Manchester from my friend Andre Mattsson who played there last year, He had good things to say about the set up, and Tony, and the fans, so I decided I had to come and see for myself.”

Phoenix open their season with a War of the Roses pre-season double header against the Sheffield Steeldogs on Friday 10th September before returning to the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday 12th.