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News
Phoenix stun Giants to reach cup semi-finals
Giants 1 (3) – Phoenix 3 (5) after two legs.
Manchester Phoenix scored a stunning 3-1 victory in Belfast on Friday night to overcome the bmibaby Elite League leading Giants and progress to the semi-final draw for the Challenge Cup.
Tied 2-2 from the first leg in ice Sheffield and down one player following the departure of Ryan Watson, Phoenix knew they were in for a titanic struggle if they were to overcome the much-fancied Belfast Giants. And they struck early with classy defenceman Simon Mangos putting them in front on a 6th minute powerplay marker before captain Scott Basiuk doubled the lead just past the ten-minute mark. Phoenix had quietened the home crowd and served notice that they were not going to be the sacrificial lambs.
The Giants reduced the arrears in the middle period when Jason Ruff scored in the 32nd minute, but the Phoenix defence refused to buckle under the mounting pressure and goalie Jason Wolfe turned in another masterful performance to keep the Phoenix noses in front at the second break.
With the big crowd in the Odyssey Arena expecting a Belfast onslaught to overrun the visitors, they were not to be disappointed. But, the Phoenix were not to be denied and despite wave after wave of Giants offensive rushes, the defence held firm. Belfast used their timeout with 90 seconds left to play but when Dutiame was penalised for Slashing, they had to pull goalie Mike Minard and that allowed player/coach Tony Hand and Derek Campbell to set up Johan Molin to score into the empty net at 58.59 to complete a superb victory for the Phoenix and send them into the semi-final draw.
A delighted Phoenix coach Tony Hand commented, “I felt these were two well played games and both teams battled hard. Coming here though is never easy and tonight was no exception. Our guys played their hearts out, defended magnificently and we took our chances – and that is the name of the game. It’s a fantastic achievement for us and now we can look forward to a semi-final tie hopefully in our new building.”
