Manchester Phoenix are heading to Coventry for next weekend’s EPL play-off finals after eliminating Bracknell Bees 10-6 on aggregate, despite trailing from the first leg.
Bees won the first leg 4-3, but Phoenix recovered and picked up a resounding 7-2 home victory on Sunday to progress to the final four.
Man of the match Robert Schnabel, Andy McKinney and Joachim Flaten all scored twice on Sunday, with captain Luke Boothroyd also finding the net.
Coach Tony Hand said: “The plan was to keep the game close after the first leg and do the job at home tonight.
“We did what was required last night and I thought we dominated the match tonight. I had very little coaching to do as the team executed the game plan to perfection.
“I thought we played very well and it is great to be going to Coventry next week. It is the last trophy of the season and we will give it our best shot.”
Phoenix were 2-0 up after the first period following a raft of penalties for the visitors, and were never really in danger of letting the tie slip from there.
In Saturday’s first leg, Bees took the lead early on through Shaun Thompson but were pegged back by Tom Duggan’s first period equaliser.
Shaun Spearing again put the home side in front, before James Archer again levelled the scores, but this time Bees were able to capitalise and led 3-2 after the second period thanks to Grant Rounding’s solo effort.
Thompson hit his second and Bees’ fourth to extend their lead, but Ondrej Pozivil was on target a minute later to ensure the game was close for the return leg in Manchester.
This victory sees Phoenix book their place in the EPL play-off finals for the fourth consecutive year, though they are yet to win the trophy.
League champions Guildford Flames progressed as expected, easily knocking out Peterborough Phantoms 11-3.
Reigning play-off champions Slough Jets are out however, with Milton Keynes Lightning through to face the Flames after a narrow 5-4 win which had to be settled by overtime.
Runners up Basingstoke Bison are also through, but again had to rely on overtime to overcome Swindon Wildcats 5-4 to set up a meeting with Phoenix.
Next weekend sees the conclusion of the 2012-13 English Premier League season with the play-off finals weekend in Coventry.
Last year, Phoenix were runners up to Jets, and will be hoping to go one better to secure a first trophy since their maiden EPL league title in 2011.
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Photo courtesy of Richard Allan, with thanks
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