News

Vychodil hat-trick fires Phoenix into semi-finals of British Knock-Out Cup

Tweet

When Czech defenceman David Vychodil scored the first hat trick by a Manchester Phoenix player this season, little did he know it would also help propel the team into its second semi-final of the season.

Saturday nights bmibaby Elite League game in Basingstoke also doubled as a qualifier in the Knock-Out Cup and Phoenix now join the Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze and the defending cup holders Sheffield in the final four draw.

For Vychodil, the game in Basingstoke was a topsy-turvy affair. Immediately before the game, he had to renew both his skate blades while receiving treatment for an injury aggravated in Thursdays’ win in Belfast. “I knew in warm-up that my skates weren’t right so I had to get the blades changed really quickly,” said the Czech blueliner adding, “and while Paul did those, I was icing the injury to help me get ready to play.”

And play he did as his explosive shooting saw him bag two goals in the opening period before again requiring treatment with an ice pack. Despite the pain, he played on and the delight on his face after scoring his third and the Phoenix fifth goal was plain for all to see. “It’s always nice to score and help the team, but to get three in such a big game was something I couldn’t have dreamed of.”

Asked about playing and scoring while nursing an injury and bedding in new blades, he laughed, “Maybe I should change blades and get hurt a bit more often if it helps the team win.”