Manchester Phoenix face ‘huge’ double-header and club future meeting weekend

Manchester Phoenix look for points this weekend as they find themselves on the wrong side of the gap opening up in the English Ice Hockey Premier League.

Phoenix are 12 points off seventh-place Sheffield, while just 13 points separate Sheffield and the league leaders Basingstoke Bison.

There are however discrepancies in the number of games played so far this season, with Milton Keynes riding high after 38 games and Phoenix in eighth-place having played only 33.

Phoenix travel to fourth-place Guildford Flames on Saturday and return home on Sunday to face ninth-place Hull Pirates, who have won just eight out of their 36 matches this season.

Tony Hand’s Mancunian men will hope to take points away from the weekend after close defeats at the hands of Swindon Wildcats and Peterborough Phantoms.

First Phoenix faced the Swindon side they had beaten just a week before, but they couldn’t do the double losing 3-5.

But the weekend’s biggest challenge came as they faced off against third-place Phantoms and came painfully close to victory eventually losing 6-7.

Coach Tony Hand said his side should’ve taken points from the encounter.

“I thought overall we deserved something out of the game and there were a lot of positives to take from the performance. 

“Some of the guys are still finding their feet after injuries and Martin is getting to grips with the pace of the league. 

Hand urged supporters to get down to Deeside to support his side.

“Hull is huge, so we need as many people as possible coming to support us on Sunday night.”

Phoenix are holding a public meeting on Sunday 24 to update fans on the results of the club’s fundraising efforts.

The meeting will take place at Deeside Leisure before Phoenix’s game against Hull.

Club owner Neil Morris will provide an update on fundraising results and the impact on the future of the club so far.

Morris will also host a Q&A session.

The Phoenix coach pick up times have been brought forward to accommodate the supporters wishing to attend. The club has apologised if this causes fans any inconvenience.

Image courtesy of Manchester Phoenix via YouTube, with thanks.