Phoenix bounce back with resounding cup wins.

Manchester Phoenix grabbed a welcome break from their injury-hit, patchy league form with two resounding back to back wins over NIHL side Billingham Stars in the Challenge Cup.

Phoenix needed a quick confidence boost after two defeats on the bounce to Guildford Flames and Sheffield Steeldogs, and the visit of Billingham on Saturday provided the perfect opportunity. To meet the criteria for games against NIHL sides, Frantisek Bakrlik and Johan Burlin, along with player coach Tony Hand sat out the game along with injured forwards James Archer and Jacob Corson Heron. Four under-18 players, James Soens, Jack Dillon, Craig Pollitt and Harry George Greaves stepped up to fill in the gaps.

Phoenix ran out comprehensive 6-2 winners with two goals each for Shaun Thompson and Adam Walker, with one each for Bobby Chamberlain and Jack Watkins.

After the game Coach Hand said: “We won the game comfortably but these matches are never easy. Billingham played well and gave us a few problems. I was glad to get the young kids on for some ice time as they are the future of the club. I am getting far too old for this and it is time for the younger lads in the squad and the club to step up.”

Sunday night saw Phoenix travel to Teesside for the return leg of the tie, and they swapped Johan Burlin for Robin Kovar from the previous night’s game. Phoenix also iced Minotaur players Rhys Gillatt, Oliver Bayne and Joe Greaves. Once again a strong performance allowed Phoenix to notch up a 6-1 road win, with two goals for Michal Psurny and others from Shaun Thompson, Adam Walker, Bobby Chamberlain and Ben Wood

Coach Hand said: “It has been a good weekend for us. Every point in the cup group is going to be vital and I thought the boys did a professional job out there tonight. The guys that came into the team for the game all did well and played their part in the win. Stars gave us a couple of challenging games and we needed to stay focussed on the job in hand. All credit to Billingham and their organisation for their hospitality tonight.”

Manchester Phoenix’s next home game will be another Challenge Cup tie on Sunday 19 October against local team Blackburn Hawks. Face off is at the usual time of 5:30pm.