Phoenix eye semi spot

MANCHESTER Phoenix will have one foot in the Challenge Cup semi- finals if they beat Edinburgh Capitals tonight.

They currently lie second in Group A of ice hockey’s knockout cup competition and would expect to progress against a team in the lower half of the Elite League standings.

But last time the two sides faced off, it need a penalty shoot-out to settle matters - even though Phoenix dominated for most of the match.

Player-coach Tony Hand said: “Edinburgh have taken some big scalps already this season and took us all the way to penalties only a few weeks ago.

“Our guys know they are going to have to bring their A Game if we are to proceed through to the semi-finals.”

Face off in Altrincham tonight is 7.15pm.


Manchester Phoenix' Stephen Murphy has been selected for Great Britain's pre-Olympic qualification tournament in Poland.

The 26-year-old netminder is rewarded for an excellent start to the bmibaby Elite Ice Hockey League season.

Head coach Paul Thompson has also drafted in three new recruits - Jez Lundin (Newcastle), Ben O'Connor (Coventry) and Jason Hewitt (Sheffield Steelers) - alongside returnees Steve Thornton, Paul Sample and Colin Shields.

Great Britain will travel to Sanok, Poland, to face the hosts on November 6, Japan (Nov 7) and Romania (Nov 9) for the right to advance to the final qualifying round next year.