News

With the final bmibaby Elite League game of 2006 looming on New Years Eve against the MobilX Newcastle Vipers, Manchester Phoenix fans are waiting for news that player/coach Tony Hand and forward Robin Gomez will be fit to return to action.

 

Both missed the Boxing Day trip to Tyneside when the Phoenix triumphed in style over the Vipers and the club are hopeful that both will be ready to play in the 1.30pm face-off game at Deeside on Sunday.

 

General Manager Andy Costigan advised on Thursday evening that he had spoken with both players saying, “Tony is still at home in Edinburgh and sounded a whole lot better today than he did on Wednesday. He travels south on Friday morning and despite still feeling a little weak, is keen to train and see how he feels ahead of Sunday’s game.”

 

Costigan added, “(Robin) Gomez is still not 100% and like Tony, we’ll see how he feels at training before making any decision. Ultimately, if either or both don’t feel able to play, we’ll rest them and go into the game in similar fashion to how we approached the game on Boxing Day. We’re halfway through the season and there is still an awful lot of hockey to be played – better to get them both 100% than risk anything of a longer term nature.”

 

Phoenix have commissioned a new shirt incorporating the clubs new dynamic logo and it will be worn for the first time at the New Years Eve fixture to welcome in the New Year and to herald the imminent opening of the clubs new venue – the Altrincham Ice Dome.

 

Sunday at Deeside will also see a special team photo taken to include the massed ranks of Phoenix fans in attendance at the game.