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News
Phoenix lose out to overtime fatigue
Basingstoke Bison 4 - 3 Manchester Phoenix after ot
Manchester Phoenix 3 - 4 Cardiff Devils after ot
After a superb win in Belfast on Friday in the Challenge Cup, Manchester Phoenix couldn't quite prevail in their two league games of the weekend, losing both in sudden death overtime but still collecting two valuable points to keep them in touch with the leaders.
In Basingstoke on Saturday, the Phoenix led three times, courtesy of a brace from Derek Campbell, the first a superb solo shorthanded effort, with a powerplay blast from Radoslav Hecl sandwiched in between. But, the Bison hit back three times to force overtime and they took the extra point for the win with Mark DeSantis scoring the game-winner 2.06 into the extra period.
Sunday saw the Phoenix back in their temporary Deeside 'home' venue and against a Cardiff Devils side playing their only game of the weekend, the Phoenix again were quick out the traps. Johan Molin and KC Timmons scored within 20 seconds on each other in the 10th minute to stun the Devils only for the Welshmen to hit back through Max Birbrauer two minutes later. Early in the second period, Devils drew level as a speculative long-range effort from Dave Iannazo somehow deceived Phoenix goalie Jason Wolfe but the home side put that mishap behind them as Molin bagged his second of the game in the 32nd minute. Cardiff robbed the Phoenix of the win when they bundled the puck over the line with just over a minute to play, Nathan Rempel credited with the goal. The combination of three tough games in three consecutive nights and tiring travel logistics finally caught up with the Phoenix as the Devils struck 40 seconds into the overtime session with Mark Smith the scorer.
Phoenix coach Tony Hand noted, "That was a tough weekend, to win in Belfast and then take two points from the league games - we cannot get too disheartened by it. The guys played their hearts out and gave everything they had and that is all anyone can ask for. Three in three is tough and when you throw in the travelling. Of course, we're disappointed but we'll bounce back."
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