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Phoenix lose but pride upheld by 'Battling Brits'

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Nottingham Panthers continued their run of good form against the Manchester Phoenix with a convincing 5-1 home win in the National Ice Centre on Saturday night.

Two goals in the opening three minutes from David Clarke and Mikko Koivunoro put the Panthers in charge and they struck with deadly speed early in the second session with the same two strikers doubling their personal and team total on the night. Phoenix tallied on a 38th minute powerplay with Petteri Lotila scoring but the home side wrapped up the points with John Craighead netting at 53.03.

Panthers had David Clarke ejected for spearing Mike Morin and the 45th minute saw Phoenix local players Jason Hewitt and Mark Thomas both take double minors for Roughing after two fights with Nottingham players broke out simultaneously.

Phoenix coach Rick Brebant growled afterwards, “we didn’t play very well at all. Too many guys didn’t show up in team mode and we can’t play a team like Nottingham with guys doing their own thing - everyone has to play as a unit. As for Hewwy and Thomo, they did their job well. They were challenged and they stood up for themselves and the team. Hewwy fought a guy bigger, stronger and more experienced than himself, but hey, their guy looked the worse afterwards and told Hewwy – ‘well done’.”

Brebant added, “Belfast on Sunday is a huge game for us and everyone better come ready to play and to play to team orders. We need the points and we need the fans there to help us get them. We’re due a win at home and the team knows that nothing other than a win will do on Sunday.”