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Phoenix ready for Panthers clash

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Manchester Phoenix head into the second weekend of the bmibaby Elite League with just one game on their minds – a road trip to the East Midlands and a clash with the Nottingham Panthers. 

Phoenix head coach Tony Hand commented, “it might only be a one game weekend but a visit to the National Ice Centre is always a tough game. The Panthers have recruited strongly under new coach Mike Ellis and I’ve told my guys this will be a stiff test for us. Having said that, I think we’ve recruited well, we had a good first weekend and we’ve had a good week of training both on and off the ice so the Panthers shouldn’t be complacent.”

 Phoenix will be at full strength as Czech defenceman David Vychodil has recovered from a slight knock sustained in the pre-season challenge game with the Sheffield Scimitars and so makes his bmibaby Elite League debut. Vychodil commented, “It was frustrating having to miss the first weekend but, I’m ready to play and can’t wait to get going.”

 Phoenix GM Andy Costigan added, “The atmosphere in Nottingham is always electric and with our fans travelling in numbers, I think everyone can look forward to a terrific game. The Panthers had a big home win last weekend and will be looking to repeat but, we too had a big win on the road so some early season bragging rights are up for grabs.”