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Phoenix stumble into post-season playoffs

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Manchester Phoenix qualified for the Elite League playoffs on Friday night, but have to thank Belfast for beating Basingstoke rather than reaping the plaudits following a dismal three-nil home loss to the Cardiff Devils.

Outshot, outworked and largely outplayed by the Devils, Phoenix gave up two first period powerplay goals to Russ Romaniuk and the Devils sealed the points with Dennis Maxwells' high shot past Jayme Platt in the 50th minute.

Phoenix coach Paul Heavey commented, "I'm gutted actually... very, very disappointed in the performance considering what was on the line. We were playing to get to the playoffs, playing for our lives and the way we came out in the first period was just embarrassing. We weren't hungry, didn't want the puck, didn't penetrate and create any chances... we weren't alert, just not ready or committed. It got a fraction better in the second period, but not much."

Heavey continued, "the only saving grace is we have Sunday's game to try and redeem ourselves in front of our fans before we go into the playoffs. The playoffs are all about hunger, penetration, creation, being ready and totally committed and if we don't show that, we could get really embarrassed in the post season. It's do or die time in those games. There are some things we have to discuss in terms of tactics etc but it comes down to wanting to battle, to wanting to compete and tonight, too many guys just did not show up.”