Manchester Phoenix 3 Belfast Giants 4 By Nigel McFarlane: MANCHESTER Phoenix battled back from two goals down but still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Phoenix were ready for a hard, physical game after the bruising dished out by Belfast during their last visit, but the Giants still managed to put them off their game in a messy first period. The tone was set early on when Manchester's Mikko Niemi and Giants' Paul Semple went for high sticks and roughing respectively after five minutes. Belfast's tactics paid dividends a minute later when Rob Stewart crashed in a shot to put Belfast ahead.

With Giants skating fast and hard, it took Manchester the best part of fifteen minutes to get their shape, but by the end of the first, they were starting to impose themselves more. It was a bitter blow, therefore, when Mark Morrison ended a sweet move by Belfast to slot in over Jayme Platt's shoulder for a second goal in the 19th minute.

Manchester revised their game plan and came out for the second period with much more determination and grit. They dominated from start to finish, out-shooting Belfast by 15 shots to 8. Manchester's attack was boosted by the return of former Manchester Storm striker Mark Bultje, who arrived from Amsterdam at the weekend. Time and time again he cut through the Giants' defence, causing problems with his speed and skill. It was no surprise when Phoenix were rewarded with a marker on 33 minutes, after George Awada pushed the puck through a tiny gap to the right side of Giants' netminder Colin Ryder. Five minutes later, the inevitable equaliser came with Bultje forcing a goal through a ruck of players in the Belfast crease.

The third period started promisingly, and Phoenix fans were delirious when man-of-the-match Darcy Anderson hammered home a well-worked goal on 46 minutes, to put Manchester ahead. Then it all went wrong again.

Belfast piled on the pressure, and their hits, which had been big all night, became downright ugly. Manchester's Mark Thomas went off injured after Paxton Schulte crashed into him on the boards, and Shane Johnson received a 2 plus 10 penalty for cross-checking from behind in a move wich sent Awada along the floor and into the boards at speed.

Manchester failed to capitalise on the resulting 5 on 3 powerplay, and the momentum swung with Belfast. First Schulte slotted home an equaliser on 51 minutes, to resounding jeers from the crowd, and five minutes later, Paul Semple rounded off another classy move by smashing in from close range to make it 4-3 to Belfast.

Phoenix tried to come back, but by then Giants were resolute. Platt was pulled with a minute left, but the extra man made no difference. Giants were beaten by the buzzer as they sent the puck the length of the ice for an empty net goal that was a second too late.

After the game, Phoenix coach Rick Brebant was furious. When asked if this was the "game that got away," he angrily said: "Yeah, and you know what? We gave it to 'em. We just do not have guys who can stick to a game plan for 60 minutes, and it costs us every week. I don't know any more. I gave them a plan, and when we worked it in the second, we dominated, but they just don't stick to it. I am frustrated, disappointed and angry."