Manchester Phoenix 8-3 Basingstoke Bison

WINS have been hard to come by of late for the Manchester Phoenix in league action, but Sunday night may have seen Tony Hand’s side finally click.

Phoenix, who lost 3-1 at bottom side Bracknell on Saturday, were suffering a small crisis with 6 straight league loses and things were looking bleak once more on Sunday as they found themselves 2-0 down after the first period to title challengers Basingstoke.

But after the first break Phoenix went on to win the next two periods by a score of 8-1 with a 5 goal burst in the third period which sealed an important win that will perhaps put the champions back on track.

Three goals in the middle frame pulled Phoenix level with goals from Robin Kovar, Frantisek Bakrlik and Michal Psurny after Ciaran Long netted the Bison’s third.

Player coach Hand netted the home sides go ahead goal on a shorthanded breakaway to start the third period blitz, sending a rocket in off the cross bar past a helpless Bison netminder Dean Skinns and with Phoenix’s tails up, Adam Walker quickly added his name to score sheet.

Bison’s tempers frayed and Phoenix duly took advantage adding further misery to the visitors with wrap around goal from Psurny and a highlight reel strike from Ben Wood.

Psurny then completed the rout, and his hat trick, with Phoenix’s eighth goal of the night completing an inspired turn around against the Bison.

Hat trick hero Psurny said after the match: “We all worked hard as a team tonight and showed what we can do. The fans were fantastic tonight and this win was for them.”

Phoenix now look forward to a home double header at the Altrincham Ice Dome this weekend with Solway Sharks the visitors on Saturday in Challenge Cup action where Phoenix top their group before entertaining the Guildford Flames on Sunday.