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MANCHESTER, UK - MANCHESTER Phoenix stretched their winning streak to eight after beating two of their nearest rivals this weekend. A superb 5-0 win in Basingstoke on Saturday was followed by a 6-3 defeat of Milton Keynes Lightning 24-hours later. It leaves the Champions just six points behind first-placed Guildford Flames – a team they face twice next week. Tom Duggan scored three times in two nights to mark his return from a shoulder injury. His double on Sunday had Phoenix 2-1 up in a very feisty encounter with the Lightning. He latched on to James Archer's pass for his first after 96 seconds and then cancelled out Adam Carr's almost immediate reply in the 17th minute. Juraj Gracik levelled maters early in the second period before Juraj Faith finished off a fine team move to give Phoenix the advantage once more. But Milton Keynes replied instantly then lulled Manchester into a series of penalties to press home their claims. Ironically, Ladislav Harabin's Charging penalty had a different result as Phoenix killed a five-on-three penalty - and showed the Lightning they wouldn't be pushed around anymore. And so it proved as Ben Wood, Jaroslav Spelda and Harabin all tallied third period goals to take the two points. Saturday's 5-0 win at Basingstoke was more comprehensive but equally as important. Bison lie sixth in the English Premier League and are a tough nut to crack at home. But a Ciaran Long double and a 39-shot shutout from netminder Stephen Fone secured the win. Phoenix were one up through Long after six minutes and then made it 2-0 early in the second as James Neil got his second of the season. Archer and Duggan bagged further goals and it was game over in the 32nd minute when Long got the better of Stephen Wall with a high shot. With only their injured player-coach Tony Hand off the ice Phoenix have now hit form at the right time. And it's not a second too late as next weekend's double header with Guildford could decide whether they have a serious chance of defending their title. Meanwhile, defenceman Ryan Johnson has escaped jail after being found guilty of serious assault. The 28-year-old was arrested before he joined Phoenix in the off-season for an incident in a Sheffield bar. He was sentenced to a six-month jail term, suspended for two years at Sheffield Crown Court for hitting a man with a bottle in the Nocturnal nightclub in July 24 last year. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to his victim and under take 200 hours Community Service. To contact the author email: Mike.Appleton@prohockeynews.com © Copyright 2012 by Prohockeynews.com Top of Page |
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