MANCHESTER Phoenix 2 – 3 Nottingham Panthers.

Panthers win 9 - 5 on aggregate.

The quest for a place in the final four of the playoffs eluded the Manchester Phoenix on Sunday night as the Nottingham Panthers completed the two-legged victory.

But the Phoenix were far from disgraced in a pulsating finale to the season.

Panthers forward Bruce Richardson said: “We prepared so thoroughly for this quarterfinal as we’ve had trouble with the Phoenix all season. I have total respect for the job Tony Hand has done in Manchester, he put together a great team and they can hold their heads high.”

And Phoenix player coach Tony Hand added: “My guys gave it absolutely everything yet again tonight. I cannot speak highly enough of the effort they’ve put in this season and I told everyone one of them after the game they should be proud of themselves – I’m honoured to have played with and coached them this season.”

The first period on Sunday saw a glut of minor penalties called by referee Darnell with both sides failing on five powerplay opportunities each before the only goal of the session.

Kyle Bruce and Lucas Burnett created the scoring chance in the 18th minute and defenceman Josh Garbutt, joining the rush, powered a shot past Michel Robinson in the Panthers goal.

While the Phoenix had the better of the first period, the Panthers turned the tables in the second session as they forced the pace.

They tied the score in the 26th minute as Stephen Murphy was caught out behind his only goal and David Clarke merely had to tap the puck into the empty net.

Nottingham enhanced their aggregate lead in the 31st minute as Matt Myers scored from short range.

The final period saw the Panthers put the tie beyond the Phoenix as Brendan Cook crashed a rising shot past Murphy in the 47th minute. Phoenix never gave up the fight and their determination to try and save the result on the night drove them on.

Their scant reward was a second goal in the 54th minute, Nathan Ward netting at the back post on assists from Kyle Bruce and Josh Garbutt.