Injury-hit Manchester Phoenix have another packed weekend on the road as they travel to Sheffield on Friday followed by a tricky trip to Guildford.
It will be the fourth time in the space of a month that the Phoenix will take on Sheffield Steeldogs, whom Tony Hand’s side have failed to beat on each of those three occasions.
After four consecutive league defeats, the Manchester outfit completed the perfect weekend with wins against Milton Keynes Lightning and Peterborough Phantoms last time out.
“Like last weekend, we are looking to pick up all four points,” said player-coach Hand. “We have got a couple of injuries, but we will be focussed on two really tough games in Sheffield and Guildford.”
The number of players spending time in the treatment room is a major concern, after the Phoenix lost further players from the ice to tarnish their two victories.
James Archer’s two-goal performance against the Phantoms was cut short when he had to be helped from the ice.
He joins forwards Jacob Corson-Heron and Frantisek Bakrilk on an ever-lengthening injured list, which also affects the defence, who have the joint-worst record in the league.
However, the depleted forward line has not stopped the Manchester outfit from scoring goals: their 19 goals in six games is bettered only by Friday’s opponents,who have scored 22.
Manchester Phoenix take on Sheffield Steeldogs away from home at 7:45pm on Friday October 3, before making an even longer trip to Guildford Flames on Sunday October 5, facing off at 6pm.
Main image courtesy of official phoenix via YouTube, with thanks.