Phoenix face tough cup challenge

MANCHESTER Phoenix face an uphill task to win the Challenge Cup even though they beat Belfast Giants 4-3 in the first leg in Altrincham last night.

A superb 40-minute display saw them out-muscle and out-fight one of ice hockey’s big four to lead 4-0.

But a final period of errors and understandable tiredness after a hectic schedule - coupled with Belfast’s tenacity - let their opposition right back into it.

The game was a real barnstormer with referee Dean Smith letting almost all the tough physical play go.

Phoenix’ player-coach Tony Hand and Kyle Bruce should have put the home side ahead early doors but the breakthrough came when Luke Fulghum took advantage of some slopping netminding from Stevie Lyle to make it 1-0 on the powerplay.

The second period was four minutes old when Bruce Mulherin doubled Manchester’s advantage as a quick line change with David Beauregard left him unmarked on the blue line.

And a minute later, Brett Clouthier slammed Giants’ Dave Phillips into the boards then sailed in front of the goal to get a telling deflection on Adam Walker’s shot.

Hand could have made it 4-0 shortly after but he made a big contribution to Phoenix’ next goal - setting up Beauregard as he has done all season for his 54th goal.

That prompted Belfast’s player-coach Steve Thornton to call a timeout - and it did the trick as with less than eight minutes left in the second captain George Awada began the comeback.

Andrew Martin then made it a two-goal game and a defensive error gave the easiest of tap-ins for Colin Shields.

Phoenix battled to maintain their one-goal lead and were lucky to escape with it as, with five minutes to go, Malcolm Macmillan rattled Stephen Murphy’s post.

The result leaves Manchester with the slenderest of margins heading into next Tuesday’s away leg in Dundonald, which happens to coincide with St Patrick’s Day.

On Saturday, Manchester kept up their pursuit of fifth spot in the Elite League with a 6-1 win over Hull.

Two for Lucas Burnett, plus markers from Hand, Alex Dunn, Adam Walker and Bruce Mulherin sealed a comprehensive win.

Manchester will also face Belfast in the final of the Knockout Cup after the Giants beat Cardiff over two legs.