Ice Hockey - Manchester Phoenix 1-2 Basingstoke Bison (From Messenger Newspapers)

Ice Hockey - Manchester Phoenix 1-2 Basingstoke Bison

10:08am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Sport By Kyle Green

TONY Hand’s new look Manchester Phoenix were forced to split the points after losing their opening home league game against Basingstoke.

Phoenix, who won 4-3 after penalty shots on Saturday at Swindon Wildcats, were thwarted by ex-Manchester Storm netminder Stevie Lyle on Sunday in Altrincham.

The away side took the lead with a 5 on 3 powerplay goal from Greg Owen and Bison netminder Lyle, produced a string of sparkling saves to keep the Phoenix forwards at bay until the final period.

Scott McKenzie finally broke the Phoenix duck and equalized early in the third period but the Bison re-took the lead almost immediately and the home side had no answer.

On Saturday, two goals from new import Joachim Flaten helped Phoenix come from behind to beat Swindon.

Phoenix trailed 2-0 but a Flaten double and a strike from fellow new boy Michal Psurny pushed Phoenix into overtime where penalty shot goals from Ciaron Long and Psurny sealed an opening day victory for the visitors.