News

Phoenix playoff dates set

Tuesday, 16th March 2004

Manchester Phoenix are pleased to confirm their Elite League playoff games dates against the Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants.

Phoenix will open their post-season play with a home date against the Belfast Giants before an unusual ‘home' game against the Steelers on Thursday March 25th.

The full Phoenix schedule is...

Phoenix vs Giants - MEN Arena Sunday March 21st
Phoenix vs Steelers - Ice Sheffield Thursday March 25th
Giants vs Phoenix - Odyssey Arena Belfast Saturday March 27th
Steelers vs Phoenix - Hallam FM Arena Sheffield Sunday March 28th

Phoenix Managing Director Neil Morris explained the circumstances that have seen him agree to stage the ‘home' game with the Steelers at the Ice Sheffield venue. "Quite simply, we couldn't get another weekend date in the MEN Arena and therefore had to go to a midweek game,” he said. "The playoffs are a vital part of the hockey calendar and so we enquired about the availability of Ice Sheffield and found it was available to us. It may seem like we're giving the Steelers an extra advantage, but this will be our home venue for the night, our fans will have first refusal on the available tickets and we are confident that our fans will understand the situation and travel to support the team.”

Coach Paul Heavey noted, "these are pretty good dates as we don't play till the weekend and that gives our guys a couple of extra days to rest up and everyone a little extra time to focus on exactly what lies ahead in the playoffs - we're four games from the finals, we need to be ready and willing to go that extra mile for the team and the fans.”