The dream comes true as Phoenix clinch EPL title

Monday, 28th March 2011

Manchester Phoenix 5 Swindon Wildcats 2

They did it.

They were bruised, battered and exhausted, and their talismanic leader spent two and a half periods watching from the sidelines, but Manchester Phoenix ultimately crossed the finish line in fine style on Sunday night with a comprehensive 5-2 win over a determined Swindon side that finally allowed them to claim the EPL title.

The Altrincham Ice Dome was a heady mixture of tension and anticipation as Phoenix, who came to the match on the back of a 6-2 mauling at the hands of the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday night, started brightly.

That initial tension was released in an explosive celebration of the first Phoenix goal, when Pavel Gomeniuk fired in a bullet from the blue line after six minutes. Phoenix Man of the Match James Archer doubled the lead after twelve minutes, and Phoenix were in charge of the tie.

The game changed just two minutes later when Phoenix player coach Tony Hand was dismissed for accidental high sticks. Because an injury was assessed to the Swindon player, Hand received an automatic match penalty, which also rules him out of the Playoff quarter final against Sheffield Steeldogs.

The resulting Wildcats powerplay saw Egidijus Bauba pull a goal back for Swindon on 15 minutes.

Phoenix regrouped, but Swindon are a stubborn, physical side, and while the Wildcats defence remained resolute – Jan Melichar was particularly impressive – the big hits and niggling plays were not allowing Phoenix to play their natural game.

After a tight, goalless second period, it was Steven Wallace who increased Phoenix’ lead three minutes into the third, with a brilliant solo effort, and James Archer put more distance between the sides to make it 4-1 on 46 minutes.

James Knight struck back for Swindon on 49 minutes, but Phoenix had regained their composure, and the Phoenix faithful finally started to believe.

The cue for celebrations came a minute from the end when Greg Wood passed to Curtis Huppe, who lashed the puck into the empty Swindon net, and an eight year dream finally came true.

Amid the wild celebrations, player coach Tony Hand said: “I’m so proud of the guys. Every one of them showed up tonight, and they deserve all of this, and so do our fans.

“We have been the most consistent team all season, and we never stopped believing, even when Guildford were pushing us hard, which we knew they would.

“This means so much to everyone at the club, and I want to thank all those fans who have been with us on this journey. This is for them.”