Manchester Phoenix 12 Blackburn Hawks 5

CZECH winger Frantisek Bakrlik and Brit kid Jared Dickinson netted seven goals between them as Manchester Phoenix fired in a dozen against hapless Blackburn.

Phoenix, who narrowly went down 4-3 in Hampshire on Saturday against the Basingstoke Bison, returned to Challenge Cup action at Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday and ran riot against Northern Ice Hockey League side Blackburn.

However, the first of 17 goals on the night was a personal horror for Phoenix netminder Declan Ryan.

With just 10 seconds on the clock, the Manchester goalie allowed the puck to sneak between his legs and into the net with little danger around him after a mix up with captain Luke Boothroyd.

But Phoenix responded quickly with imports Bakrlik and Robin Kovar clearly showing the gulf in class between the sides with a quick fire double to put the home side up.

The Hawks were, however, determined to not let Phoenix out of sight and quickly levelled the tie through Adam Brittle before Tony Hand’s side started turning the screw.

Bakrlik completed a first period hat-trick while Jack Watkins also netted to give the home side a 5-2 lead at the first break.

The second period saw Phoenix wrap up the points with a six goal blitz, including a hat-trick from Jared Dickinson as he netted three straight goals with further markers from Bakrlik, Kovar and Bobby Chamberlain drowning out Blackburn’s loan marker from Adam Brittle once more.

With the win virtually guaranteed, the third period saw Phoenix relax on the scoring with a Chamberlain strike rounding off the scoring after the Hawks netted a consolation double.

Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand said: “Tonight was an end-to-end game although I was pleased to see our forwards finish their chances and get the win.

"I was pleased with our response following a narrow defeat last night in Basingstoke, and we need to carry this approach into next weekend’s games.”

Phoenix are now tied for top spot in their Challenge Cup group and have a trip to Solway Sharks next Saturday before returning to league action at home on Sunday against early season table toppers Telford Tigers.