News

Phoenix seventh heaven as Giants are humbled

Monday, 10th November 2003

Manchester Phoenix improved their recent run of fine form to five wins in their last seven games as they crushed the league leading Belfast Giants 7-2 last night.

A brace from captain George Awada together with markers from Mike Lankshear, Shin Larsson-Yahata, Dwight Parrish, Miroslav Skovira and Mike Morin sent the Phoenix faithful home happy after a bruising encounter with the table-topping Giants. And with their next six games all on the road, the Phoenix will go on their travels in very good heart.

Phoenix recovered well from the early setback of Colin Ward giving Belfast the opening goal in the 3rd minute and hit back in style with Lankshear and Larsson-Yahata tallying in a 77-second spell to edge a close first period. Parrish extended the lead with a howitzer blast from the slot and Slovak sniper Skovira powerplay deflection ensured a Jeff Sebastian shot hit the back of the net. The Giants narrowed the gap in the 36th minute through Jason Bowen but the visitors’ hopes were dashed as Awada grabbed his first on another late second period powerplay. Indiscipline in the third period from the Giants cost them dearly as Awada smashed home his second powerplay, and the Phoenix sixth goal, leaving Mike Morin to gleefully complete the seventh heaven scoring on yet another man advantage five minutes before the end.

Phoenix coach Rick Brebant commented, “We started a little slowly tonight but we came good and fully deserved this win and the margin by which we got it. I thought it was a good all-round team performance and I’m very pleased with the effort everyone put in tonight. We knew Belfast would play a strong physical game, but we did not let that get to us and I thought my guys executed our game plan very solidly. We go on the road now for our next six games and that will be tough mentally. We got great support from the fans who were here tonight, we hope to see a lot more when we come back home in six games time.”