Manchester Phoenix 4-6 Sheffield Steeldogs

A POOR first period condemned Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix to their third defeat in the opening four games of the ice hockey season against Sheffield on Sunday.

Phoenix, who were also beaten in Basingstoke on Saturday 3-2, started brightly against bitter rivals Sheffield with Robin Kovar finding the net early.

But four Dogs goals from Lloyd Gibson (2) and Jeff Legue (2) put Phoenix in a hole that proved too big to recover from, even with a Jack Watkins strike before the break.

Phoenix dominated the middle period, hitting the post twice through Michal Psurny and Adam Walker but were unable to breach the Sheffield defence.

Hand finally reduced the deficit to 4-3 early in the final period but Legue netted his hat-trick goal to restore the visitors two goal cushion.

Walker quickly responded for the home side once more but as Phoenix went in search of an equaliser, Lubomir Korhon scored an empty net goal to seal the points.

Coach Tony Hand said after the game: “I thought we played well for most of the game and dominated the second period.

‘There are things we need to sort by next weekend, but also a few points that will give us encouragement.”