Phoenix trample the herd to keep title in view

Sunday, 13th March 2011

Manchester Phoenix took a huge step towards their first league title with a hard-fought win over Basingstoke Bison. Phoenix now need just three points from their remaining four games to take the EPL title.

Saturday saw Phoenix overcome a strong Swindon Wildcats side 4-3, with Greg Wood getting the game winning goal, although a shoulder injury to Tom Duggan gave them another injury worry to face during the title run-in.

On a positive note, Sunday saw the return of popular defenceman Ladislav Harabin. Harabin had been out for a few weeks after suffering an horrendous injury to his forearm, but he received a loud welcome from the Phoenix faithful as he took to the ice. The first period was a tight and sometimes scrappy affair. Phoenix created chances, but either hit the pipes or found Bison netminder Dean Skinns in superb form.

It was Bison who took the lead through Callum Best on 11 minutes, after a brilliant counter attack that swept down the ice and left Phoenix standing.

The Phoenix first line, after having a quiet night on Saturday, went on the rampage in the second period. Marcus Kristoffersson struck on 25 minutes, and followed that up three minutes later to give Phoenix the lead. Curtis Huppe got in on the scoring on 34 minutes, before Ciaron Long pulled a short-handed goal back for Bison on 37 minutes. Kristoffersson bagged his hat-trick, and a fourth for Phoenix, just a minute later, to give the league leaders a 4-2 lead going into the final period.

The third period, while still being tight, saw both sides create plenty of chances. Both Phoenix and Bison spent plenty of time camped in each other’s zone, firing shots at will, but with no end result. The game opened up as it reached a climax, and when Bison pulled Skinns for the extra skater, it was Kristoffersson who sealed the points by crashing in an empty net goal 30 seconds from the end.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand said: “That was a huge two points for us. Saturday was a big win against a difficult Swindon side, but Bison have given us problems all season, and to get two points at this stage was vital.

“It was bad news to see Tom get an injury. We’ll keep tabs on it and get him back on the ice as soon as possible.

“We know what we need to do. No-one is counting any chickens – I won’t allow that – but confidence in the locker room is high. We’ll take each game as it comes.”