THE closing chapter of Tony Hand's ice hockey career remains unfinished after he helped Manchester Phoenix battle their way into the play-off finals weekend.

Phoenix looked to be heading out at the quarter-final stage after losing the home leg of their tie against Basingstoke Bison 5-4 and then slipping 2-1 behind in the second match on Sunday.

But three unanswered goals in the second period from Frantisek Bakrlik, Jacob Corsen Heron and Robin Kovar turned match on its heading, securing a 4-2 win on the night an 8-7 victory on aggregate.

Player-coach Hand, who is due to retire at the end of the season, spoke with great pride about his side's battling qualities after they secured their berth in the semi-finals for the sixth straight season.

“That was a battle out there and I am very proud of the whole squad who worked so hard to get a deserved win," said arguably Britain's greatest ever ice hockey player.

"Bison are a great side and very difficult to beat in their own rink.

"We kept to our game plan and the lads executed everything I asked of them.

"After such a hard season, we are still in the running for some silverware. Now we and our fantastic fans can look forward to another challenge in Coventry.”

Phoenix face Milton Keynes Lightning in the second semi-final on Saturday and league and cup winners Telford Tigers take on Peterborough Phantoms in the other tie, with the winners battling it out in the final on Sunday.