Phoenix sights on home comforts

MANCHESTER Phoenix continue their pursuit of a home play-off tie with a trip to Newcastle Vipers tomorrow (6.30pm) before returning home to face Coventry Blaze on Sunday (5.30pm).

Phoenix are fifth in the Elite Ice Hockey League, three points behind the Blaze, so both matches are key if they want to break into the top four.

And given their recent form — nine wins in their last 15 — Phoenix would expect to take points off the Vipers and push the reigning Elite League champions close.

Player-coach Tony Hand has doubts over Kyle Bruce, who has been out with a foot injury for the past six weeks.

A replacement for Dwight Parrish still hasn’t been found and that means more ice time for young defenceman Carl Graham.