Phoenix face table-toppers

MANCHESTER Phoenix have the rarity of a one-game weekend as they prepare to take on Sheffield in Altrincham on Sunday (face off is 5.30pm).

It is a key match for both sides in the build-up to the busy festive period.

The Yorkshire outfit are flying high in the Elite Ice Hockey League and have only lost once to Tony Hand’s team this season.

That was a 4-0 reverse in the Challenge Cup, but Manchester haven’t got close in league meetings so far.

Although Sheffield are four points clear, nearest challengers Coventry have a game in hand and Manchester are only four points behind them in fourth.

Hand is sweating on the fitness of Kyle Bruce (foot) and Lucas Burnett (knee), but Bruce Mulherin has fully recovered from his shoulder problem and celebrated by firing a hat-trick against Basingstoke last weekend.