Manchester Phoenix are without their star player and Slovakian import Stanislav Gron ahead of two away fixtures.
The Manchester side travel to Milton Keynes Lightning and Telford Tigers on Saturday and Sunday respectively hoping to build on last weekend’s overtime win against table-toppers Peterborough Phantoms.
Phoenix have been hampered by injury throughout the season but owner Neil Morris says Gron’s fractured jaw, picked up in an accident on the ice last weekend, is a serious loss.
“He does a lot of work, his loss will have a pretty big impact, he has been instrumental in some of our wins.
“Stan has been out with a broken ankle before and the guys have shown they can win games without him.”
Phoenix experienced mixed fortunes last weekend with a 4-3 loss away to Swindon Wildcats, the second time in six days that the Southern side defeated the Mancunian men and Morris says he can’t remember a season where Phoenix experienced such a bad run of luck.
“We’re losing in overtime, with penalties, or by just a goal. It’s the smallest of margins with a tiny team.
“We need the sort of money Manchester United have got so we can have two squads!
“We’re just going to have to battle on. We’re up against it this weekend because they’re both on a run and both challengers for the title.
“Everyone is still wearing the colours with pride. I have the utmost respect for the players and the fans.
“You do wonder when Lady Luck will come and sit on our bench.”
Image courtesy of Official Phoenix via Youtube, with thanks.