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Phoenix win nine goal thriller

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Manchester Phoenix 5 Milton Keynes Lightning 4

Manchester Phoenix were left hanging on at the end of another barnstorming meeting between them and Milton Keynes Lightning.

For Phoenix, a win was vital to maintain a healthy lead at the top of the English Premier League. A 4-2 defeat away at Slough Jets on Saturday night had cut the margin at the top to four points.

Phoenix started the game without defenceman Ladislav Harabin, who suffered an horrific injury to his forearm during the game at Slough.

It was Phoenix, though, who took the lead after just three minutes when Tony Hand slotted in a pass from Ben Morgan. Curtis Huppe doubled the lead on minutes to give Phoenix a 2-0 lead at the first interval.

Huppe struck again in the second period, scoring on the power play after 35 minutes. This followed a period of sustained MKL pressure that had so far failed to yield a marker.

The tireless Marcus Kristoffersson, who played a part in the first two goals, got his name on the score sheet just before the end of the second period, coolly hitting home a superb pass from Tony Hand on 39 minutes.

Into the third period, and Phoenix looked to have the game sewn up when James Neil scored a marvellous unassisted goal on 45 minutes to make it 5-0.

At this point Phoenix were cruising, but Lightning struck back with two goals in two minutes. Blaz Emersic scored for MKL on 46 minutes, and this was closely followed by a power play goal from Monir Kalgoum.

Tempers frayed on 49 minutes, and when the dust settled Phoenix had Kristoffersson in the penalty box serving Roughing and High Stick minors, and he was joined by Curtis Huppe, also assessed a Roughing minor. Milton Keynes saw Grant McPherson and Michael Wales serving Roughing minors while Lightning net minder Barry Hollyhead was given a Slashing minor.

It was Lightning who reacted better to the hiatus, though. Adam Carr took advantage of a lapse in Phoenix concentration to score a third for Lightning on 53 minutes, and just two minutes later Carr was through on goal again before he was taken down by Ben Morgan.

Referee Wardell awarded a penalty shot and Carr stepped up to shoot past Steve Fone to make the score 5-4.

This set up a grandstand finish, but despite pulling their net minder with one minute remaining, MKL could not find the elusive equaliser that had appeared unthinkable just 20 minutes before. Phoenix were given another boost with the news that title rivals Guildford Flames were defeated 6-5 at home to Slough Jets, thus restoring Phoenix’ six point lead at the top of the EPL.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand said: “That was tough tonight. Some of the guys were tired, and there were times when we let our concentration lapse and we were punished for it.

“We deserved to be in front, but credit to Milton Keynes, they never gave up and it was a lot closer than it could have been.

“Overall I’m happy with our points tally for the weekend against two very tough teams. We’re still top of the pile and that’s what counts.”