Phoenix on the rise

MANCHESTER Phoenix could heap pressure on their Elite Ice Hockey League rivals if they take maximum points from this weekend’s fixtures.

Tony Hand’s side have marched to third in the table and have games in hand on those around them.

Tomorrow they travel to the SkyDome to face Coventry (6pm) who have had an indifferent start to the season.

Phoenix then face Hull Stingrays in Altrincham (Sunday 5.30pm) who have axed two players due to their poor league campaign to date.

Forward Rick Kozak was dropped from the team following his suspension for punching a Nottingham Panther, then skating through the resultant blood and flicking it towards the opposition’s bench. His team-mate Jake Riddle has also been kicked out because of disciplinary issues.

Meanwhile, the financial crisis at Basingstoke Bison seems to be worsening. Recently, they lost their player-coach Ryan Aldridge, who decided to quit, and now fan favourite Brad Cruikshank has joined Sheffield.