THERE was no fairytale ending to the career of one of Britain’s greatest-ever ice hockey players as the battling Manchester Phoenix went down 5-2 in the play-off final.

Player-coach Tony Hand’s illustrious 34 year career came to an end in the finale event of the season but his side went down to the Peterborough Phantoms after a disaster start.

Phantoms flew out of the blocks and were 3-0 up on a reeling Phoenix before James Archer reduced the deficit before the first break.

The second period was all Phoenix but they could only find a way past Phantoms man of the match, netminder Janis Auzins, once with a trademark Frantisek Bakrlik rocket.

Phoenix piled forward in the final period in search of the game tying goal but with time running out, Phantoms netted twice to seal the playoff title.

On Saturday, Phoenix edged past the MK Lightning with a 7-4 semi final win to book their place in the playoff final.

Goals from Robin Kovar (two), Shaun Thompson (two) and Adam Walker had Phoenix leading a back and forth encounter 5-3 at the second break.

Lightning reduced the deficit to one with a Chris Wiggins strike to set up a grandstand finish where Bakrlik and Archer netted back to back empty net goals to seal the win.

Commenting on the weekend Hand said: “We gave it all we had tonight but fell just short. I am very proud of this squad who have battled hard all season.

"It has been tough on all of us but we will be back next season competing on all fronts.’

"A huge thanks to the Phoenix fans who have got behind us in every game. You guys are something special.”