A FOUR-GOAL second period blitz from Peterborough Phantoms was the turning point on Sunday night as Manchester Phoenix went down 5-3 at home.
It proved to be a blank weekend for Phoenix who also lost 5-4 to MK Lightning on Saturday with the winner coming in the dying seconds.
After a goalless opening frame against the Phantoms, the visitors took the lead with a Cameron McGiffin strike but Adam Walker quickly brought the hosts level with a close-range finish.
Three unanswered goals from Peterborough's Edgars Bebris, Luke Ferrara and Darius Pliskauskas put the match out of reach for Phoenix.
Bobby Chamberlain reduced the deficit with a close-range finish but former Phoenix forward Slava Koulikov restored the Phantoms' three-goal cushion and a late Frantisek Bakrlik strike proved just a consolation.
Hand said: “I thought we were a bit flat tonight and all credit to Peterborough for a good performance, taking their chances well. We gave up too many odd rushes and their finishing was clinical.”
Phoenix’s next home game is next Thursday against newly-crowned league champions Telford Tigers in the first leg of the Challenge Cup final.
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