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Phoenix topple Giants in 9-goal thriller

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Manchester Phoenix kept their fans on the edge of their seats on Sunday night as they held on for victory in a nine-goal thriller against the Belfast Giants.

Curt Bowen fired the Giants into an early lead before Deeside prospect Marc Lovell equalised in the sixth minute. Giants captain Jason Ruff restored the visitors’ lead on a powerplay and Finnish winger Mika Skytta again hauled the Phoenix level on the first Phoenix powerplay. Phoenix ripped the Giants defence asunder early in the second period as Chad Brandimore and David Kozier scored in the space of 34 seconds in the 24th minute to give the home side their first lead of the game. Paxton Schulte pulled one back for the Giants on another powerplay before good work by Skytta gave Darcy Anderson the chance to restore the two-goal cushion before the second interval. A defensive lapse allowed Belfast to pull to within one goal in the 46th minute, Ruff bagging his second, but the Phoenix held on to send the fans home happy.

Player/coach Rick Brebant noted, “From the fans perspective, that was a very entertaining game, but down on the ice, whilst we got it done, we made too many errors and they nearly cost us dearly. However, we’ll take the points and our first home win of the year and hope to build on it as we want to use our games in hand over Basingstoke and Cardiff to full advantage to secure that important playoff berth.”

On a positive note, the wrist injury of Mark Bultje is responding to treatment and he commented, “it’s getting easier and I’m happier today that I was on Friday. I am keen to play next weekend and by that I mean Friday in Belfast.” Brebant added, “If we can get Mark back for Friday, that will be a huge boost for us going into Belfast for what will be a tough road game.”