Bees swatted by 'sluggish' Phoenix

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Manchester Phoenix stretched their lead at the top of the English Premier League to six points at the weekend.

With no game on Saturday, Phoenix took a well-earned rest before taking on a Bracknell Bees side still battling for the final Playoff spot.

Curtis Huppe opened the scoring after just two minutes, and Phoenix raced into a three goal lead courtesy of markers from Stephen Wallace and Tom Duggan, whose outstanding power play effort marked the beginning of a night to remember for him.

Michal Pinc pulled a goal back for Bees, but Wallace struck again to give Phoenix a 4-1 lead going into the first break.

Man of the Match Duggan struck again early in the second period, scoring twice in three minutes and effectively ending the game as a contest with a 6-1 score line after just 25 minutes.

Phoenix then welcomed Andrew Sharp back to the ice after injury, and with ten minutes left in a goalless third period, backup net minder Adam Summerfield replaced Steve Fone in net for some valuable ice time.

Phoenix received a further boost when title rivals Guildford Flames were beaten 6-3 at Peterborough Phantoms.

Player coach Tony Hand said: “We have had a bit of a bug going through the team, so we were a bit sluggish.

“That said, our other lines are really stepping up and we are seeing the benefit.

“I was really pleased with Tom Duggan. He has worked extremely hard recently, as has everyone, and he thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.

“The guys are getting some of that old confidence back, and that will be key for us as we go into the final part of the season.”

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