Manchester Phoenix 3 Peterborough Phantoms 2

AN injury plagued Manchester Phoenix won their first home game of the season on Sunday night after narrowly defeating a tough Peterborough side.

Phoenix, who also registered their first back to back wins of the season with a 4-1 away win on Saturday against Milton Keynes Lightning, flew out of the blocks with a fine James Archer goal on Sunday.

Archer netted his second goal before the break giving the home side a 2-0 lead before Darius Pliskauskas halved the deficit for the visitors early in the second period.

But with Phoenix already riddled with injuries to Frantisek Bakrlik, Jacob Corson Heron and Shaun Thompson, who played through his injury, the home side then lost James Archer after a collision with Phantoms netminder Janis Auzins and defenceman Johan Burlin to injury.

James Neil grabbed the home sides third on the powerplay giving them breathing space but as Tony Hand’s depleted side began to tire in the final stages, the Phantoms pulled a goal back through James Ferrara ensuring a tense finale

But Manchester held on for the points and their first home win of the season.

Phoenix have no home game at the Altrincham Ice Dome this weekend but will travel to Sheffield on Friday night before facing the Guildford Flames for the first time this season in Surrey on Sunday.