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Capital win keeps Phoenix in playoff hunt

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Manchester Phoenix halted a run of three losses with a hard-fought two-nil win in London on Tuesday night. Needing a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive, the Phoenix playing without captain George Awada and defenceman Mike Lankshear fought off a brave challenge from the Racers to record their sixth straight win over the London outfit.

Mark Bultje got Phoenix on the score board with just one minute and fifty-five seconds of the game having elapsed, taking a pass from Rick Brebant to slot the opening goal past Racers netminder Evan Lindsay. London had their chances but came up against solid netminding from Jayme Platt who went on to complete a 32-shot shut-out.

Phoenix added their second marker at 7.25 of the second period as Darcy Anderson scored assisted by Petteri Lotila and Chad Brandimore. London battled hard and Phoenix were made to work equally hard for the points that saw them draw level with Basingstoke and Cardiff – both of whom they face this coming weekend.

Stand-in captain Rick Brebant commented afterwards, “that was a tough game, but we played a smart road game and deserved the win. We got a good start and we worked hard as a team throughout and the second goal epitomised the work ethic the boys showed. We get a day off tomorrow and we’ll train again Thursday and Friday. The two games this weekend are huge but, tonight was just as vital and we got a job well done.”