HOCKEY UK

Posted in: HOCKEY UK
Phoenix rise for title tilt
By Mike Appleton
Jan 23, 2012 - 7:53:14 AM

MANCHESTER - MANCHESTER Phoenix remain in the title race after they 'split' their weekend with Guildford Flames.

Backstopped by the excellent Stephen Fone they secured a 4-1 win on Saturday night.

He turned aside 39 shots in a complete performance as Phoenix took their streak to nine.

But the Flames exacted revenge with a 5-2 reverse last night to remain on top of the table.

Manchester needed to take points from Guildford if they harboured any hopes of retaining their English Premier League title.

And they did just that, racing to a 2-0 lead they never looked like losing within the first period on Saturday.

Ben Wood broke the deadlock after nine minutes then Ladislav Harabin scored the first of two Phoenix' powerplay goals in the 17th minute.

Guildford shifted up a gear in the second but couldn't get past Fone who was immense between the pipes.

His defence allowed 21 shots on goal and that saw the 24-year-old producing a string of fine saves.

Slava Koulikov fed Juraj Faith for Phoenix' third just 25 seconds into the final period and then Koulikov bagged his 14th of the season to make the game safe.

David Savage adding a late consolation.

Manchester could have pulled to within two points of Guildford with a follow-up win last night.

But their trip to Surrey was anything but simple as they fell to a 5-2 defeat.

Goals from Tom Duggan and Faith weren't enough as they struggled to get any sort of offence working.

Hand said: “Saturday was a massive win for us, and the guys thoroughly deserved it.

“Everyone played their part in a superb performance. We created chances and we took them, and kept our heads when under pressure.

“No-one is making any assumptions , but we are being taken very seriously at the top end of the table and that’s a good feeling after a difficult first half of the season.”

Phoenix now lie third in the EPL, six points behind the Flames who have played a game less.

To contact the author email: Mike.Appleton@prohockeynews.com

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