Phoenix hit back to claim victory

TONY HAND scored one and laid on three others as Manchester Phoenix came from behind to blitz Cardiff Devils 6-2 last night.

The 41-year-old player/coach turned in a virtuoso man-of-the-match performance to send Phoenix third in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

His first moment of magic came on 19 minutes when he broke away while his side was shorthanded, stole a march on his chasers and beat netminder Peter Aubry.

Goals from Lee Cowmeadow and Mike Prpich put Cardiff ahead but Josh Garbutt blasted home on the powerplay before Hand and David Beauregard worked a piece of magic for veteran Dwight Parrish to put Manchester ahead.

An own goal from Kenton Smith plus two from Beauregard wrapped up victory for Phoenix, who could count themselves unlucky to lose 5-4 in Nottingham the night before.

Despite losing Brett Clouthier with a damaged hand, Luke Fulghum fired Phoenix ahead and Beauregard soon made it 2-0.

But Panthers gained the upper hand when Phoenix forward Bruce Mulherin was ejected for blatantly checking Dan Tessier in the head after an altercation.

Nick Toneys and Danny Meyers levelled the scores and, although Nathan Ward put Manchester back ahead, David Clarke, Tessier and Brendon Cook gave Nottingham the two points despite a late consolation from Kyle Bruce.