Epic win sees Phoenix stay top

Sunday, 20th February 2011

Manchester Phoenix 6 Peterborough Phantoms 5 (after overtime)

An exhausted Manchester Phoenix side completed another vital four point weekend with a hard fought, epic win over Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday night, thanks mainly to a spectacular goal-scoring avalanche from Curtis Huppe.

Phoenix bounced back from their EPL Cup elimination at the hands of Basingstoke Bison to win 6-3 away at Bracknell Bees on Saturday night, but is was the Phantoms who took the initiative in Altrincham on Sunday, when Maris Ziedins scored on the power play after just six minutes.

Phoenix man-of-the-match Huppe bagged the first of his five goals for the night when he equalised on 12 minutes, and he gave Phoenix the lead 57 seconds before then end of the first period, but only after Phantoms had controversially had a goal washed out which it was later proved had crossed the line.

Huppe extended Phoenix’ lead on 24 minutes, but Phantoms pulled a goal back on the half way mark through Matty Davies, and then took the lead four minutes later when Tom Carlon bagged a short-handed goal on 33 minutes. Huppe struck for his and Phoenix’ fourth a minute later, but Jeff Glowa brought Phantoms level again on 36 minutes, to leave the score at 4-4 after two periods.

Darius Lelenas gave Phantoms the lead on 46 minutes, and now Phoenix were clearly running on empty, playing their sixth game in eight days. But Huppe struck again to equalise just nine seconds later.

Tiredness was clearly playing a part and there were plenty of chances of both ends, but neither side could make a breakthrough and the game went into overtime, where Marcus Kristoffersson struck after one minute to give Phoenix an extremely hard-fought win.

Phoenix player coach Tony Hand said: “There were tired legs out there and it showed. We were exhausted at the end tonight, and we showed massive character to keep going into overtime.

“The schedule over the last week or so has really taken its toll, but we are staying focused, we are still top of the league with our lead intact and there is still plenty to play for.”