Manchester Phoenix 2 Nottingham Panthers 3 by Nigel McFarlane: A brave, battling performance from Manchester Phoenix could not overcome bad luck and a skilful, powerful Nottingham side in a five-goal thriller.

Last time Panthers were in Manchester, they dominated the game from start to finish, and the same depressing scenario seemed to be unfolding as Panthers shot forward from the start and nearly scored with just three seconds gone.

Nottingham, well-drilled and hitting hard, pushed Phoenix all over the ice for the majority of the first period. When Manchester attempted to impose themselves more, they were either overpowered or, in the case of Mark Lovell, over-enthusiastic, who received a 2 plus 10 penalty for checking from behind after just three minutes.

Panthers were constantly putting pressure on the Phoenix net, and netminder Jayme Platt had to be on top form as shots rattled in on him from every angle. With head coach Rick Brebant once again playing to cover injuries and a short bench, the Manchester defence was mis-shapen and ponderous. That said, it took a lucky bounce to break the deadlock, as a shot across the Manchester goal bounced in off the skate of Paul Moran.

There was no luck about the second Panthers effort, however. With Moran and Phoenix's Jason Hewitt serving 2 minute minors for roughing, the resulting four on four opened up the play, and allowed Nottingham to streak forward, with Mark Cadotte slotting in the easiest of chances after a pass from the Lee Jinman that sliced the Phoenix defence in half.

Manchester regrouped in the second period. Brebant pushed forward, given them more depth in attack, but despite creating a flurry of chances, Phoenix could not find the back of the net. Their play became slightly rushed, leading to dangerous Nottingham breakaways, but whenever Manchester came back doen the ice they found the excellent Niklas Sundberg performing heroics in the Panthers goal.

It was going to take something special to get Phoenix back into the game, and it duly came courtesy of man-of-the-match George Awada. Awada, who had been off-form in recent games, broke from his own zone, and let fly with a bullet that shot past Sundberg's shoulder and rattled the top corner on 36 minutes.

With Manchester finally showing some form, they came out for the third with renewed vigour, and Awada levelled the score just thirty seconds into the final period, after Sundberg spilled a Mike Morin effort. There was now genuine belief that the game was there for the taking, and Manchester's workrate frankly deserved it. But it was not to be, as Panthers MOM Moran blasted a winner on 45 minutes after the best move of the game - a smooth, swift move that sent the puck the length and breadth of the ice, before it was swatted from player to player around the Manchester net and hit home.

After that, Panthers strength was their salvation, as Manchester struggled to find another equaliser. Despite pulling Platt with a minute left, they failed to find a third goal. In truth, Phoenix were unlucky, and deserved something from the game, but their failure to show up for the first period had cost them by the time they regained their momentum.

Panthers' coach Paul Adey was understandably delighted: "I thought it was a great game of hockey. They came back at us hard, but we just got the bounce of the puck. That said, we gave up a couple of silly goals, but full credit to Manchester for staying in it. In the end, I think anyone could have won it."

Phoenix Dutch international Mark Bultje, still out with a wrist injury, was less charitable. "We played two periods out of three, and Nottingham will kill you if you do that. I don't beleive in bad luck. You make your own luck in hockey, and we simply failed to show up for the first twenty minutes. It's always going to be a lot harder when you're trying to chase Nottingham. We have to regroup now, because we have a couple of very big games coming up.