Manchester Phoenix 1 Coventry Blaze 4: Manchester Phoenix crashed to a disappointing home defeat on Wednesday evening as they were outshot, out-chanced and largely outworked by the Coventry Blaze.

After a scoreless first period, Ashley Tait opened the scoring for the visitors with a 29th minute powerplay goal but the Phoenix hit inside 40 seconds with Darcy Anderson equalising. Tait bagged his and Coventry's crucial second just nine seconds before the second break and inside a minute of the third period commencing, Steve Gallace gave the Blaze a two-goal cushion.

Joel Poirier put the result beyond doubt in the 47th minute and try as they could, Phoenix were unable to make any headway against a stubborn Blaze defence.

Phoenix spokesperson Andy Costigan said: "We knew Coventry would work hard, every game with them this season has been a battle and tonight was no different. Everyone says they have no superstar players, and whilst that may be true, they work together as a unit as well if not better than any other team in this league.

"Naturally, we're disappointed, as a win tonight would have given us good momentum going into Basingstoke on Saturday. Now we have to pick ourselves up off the floor and be prepared to slug it out with them."

Player/coach Rick Brebant added: "Like Andy said, they played as a unit and we didn't. I think we're more skilled as individuals, but we have to get the kind of togetherness of play that they showed us tonight.

"Hockey is a team game and everyone needs to be on the same page or things won't go your way. We broke down too often tonight and you can't do that and expect to get away with it."

Phoenix travel to Basingstoke on Saturday before hosting the Nottingham Panthers next Wednesday in the MEN Arena.