News

Phoenix quest for the title

Tweet

J Davidson Manchester Phoenix continue their quest for the English Premier Ice Hockey League title with a road trip to Bracknell and a visit by Swindon Wildcats.

Phoenix have a tough schedule with last night’s victory in Sheffield the first of 6 games in 10 days. They have a tricky game in Bracknell tonight followed by Swindon’s last visit of the season. Next Thursday they travel to Peterborough and follow that up with a Saturday home game against Guildford and wrap up the weekend with a visit to Telford.

These games could well define the club’s title ambitions and a good points tally could well see them on their way to a second EPL championship. Basingstoke, however are still top of the tree although Phoenix have a couple of games in hand.

Bracknell is always a tough place to play with their huge ice surface and Phoenix will be all out to avenge the 8-2 hammering they took on their last visit.

One player to watch on Saturday might be Ollie Bronnimann. The young brit forward has hit 25 goals this season and is working well on their top line with Lukas Smital and Shaun Thompson.

On Sunday the Wildcats come to town. Phoenix may have the drop on them in the head to head series this season, leading 4-0, but they are a free scoring team that will need careful handling. Aaron Nell has returned to the club and has scored 25 goals in 19 games. He has resurrected his partnership with Jonas Hoog and they are scoring for fun. At the back, all is not as good and Phoenix will definitely be looking to exploit any weakness they show at the Dome.

Sunday’s game has the usual face off at 1730hrs. Phoenix had a great turn out last night in Sheffield, let’s be the extra player on the ice again tomorrow.