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Basingstoke prove too strong for Phoenix

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Manchester Phoenix welcomed back Ben Wood on Sunday night but were comprehensively beaten 7-2 by the Basingstoke Bison.

The game started brightly for Phoenix, who capitalised on an early powerplay opportunity when Jakub Langhammer buried a rebound following a Joni Tuominen effort at 2:51.  The visitors soon got into their stride and Derek Roehl stuffed in a wrap-around attempt at 5:16 to level.  Phoenix netminder Steve Fone had to absorb a significant amount of pressure throughout the period, with an effective tactic of getting the puck to the net and looking for rebounds.

Bison deservedly took the lead at 18:12 when Dan Davies took advantage of one of those rebounds and there was still time in the period for Ciaran Long to rifle a shot back off the post.

Phoenix started the second period in the ascendancy and had a couple of powerplay opportunities but were unable to hit the target, and were made to pay at 28:00 when Davies set up Ivan Antonov to make it 3-1.  The game was all but over at 37:33 as Antonov scored again after a smart pass from Rene Jarolin.

The third period proved to be a more sedate affair until Bison hit Phoenix with three late goals; Jarolin scoring on a breakaway at 52:28, before Grant Rounding netted ten seconds later after winning a battle on the boards, and then Davies grabbing his second of the night at 54:03.  There was time for Phoenix to get a second consolation goal as Robin Kovar found Eddie Bebris from behind the net at 56:42.

Phoenix are at home next Sunday evening against the Bracknell Bees, with a 5pm face-off in Blackpool.