ManchesterOnline

Clouthier Q & A

PHOENIX fans’ favourite Brett Clouthier might not be coming back to Manchester next season.

But the former enforcer is still keeping tabs with the news from the Altrincham ice rink. Chris Brierley caught up with him at his home in New York state for a question and answer session in which he praised the bold move to drop down into the English Premier League.

Hand searching for quality

ICE HOCKEY Tony Hand won't accept second best in his search for quality players next season.

The Phoenix player-coach has already signed up his British contingent for the new campaign in the English Premier League which starts in mid-September.

Phoenix swoop for Hagelberg

FLYING Finn Jaakko Hagelberg has joined Manchester Phoenix.

The 26-year-old forward is from the ice hockey hot-bed of Tampere and is the first of four import signings allowed in the English Premier League.

Fulghum heads to Coventry

COVENTRY Blaze have signed American winger Luke Fulghum from Manchester Phoenix for the 2009/10 Elite League season.

He said: “I’m really excited to be returning to the UK for another season. I believe we are going to be a very talented team and have a great chance to contend for some silverware.”

Biggar's back to boost Phoenix

THE man who put ice hockey on the map in Manchester is back.

Dave Biggar, former marketing director of the MEN Arena and Manchester Storm, is returning to help boost Manchester Phoenix.

Back in the 90s Biggar transformed the sport from a non-event to one which regularly commanded five figure attendances including a gate of more than 18,000 to watch Storm play Sheffield Steelers back in 1996.

Phoenix eye new signings

PHOENIX expect to announce two top quality signings next week. Player coach Tony Hand has completed negotiations and is just waiting for the paperwork to be returned.

"I've contracts out to two quality guys and expect to hear back in the next few days," he said. "They are top players and both have had offers from Elite league clubs and from Europe.

Teenagers join the Phoenix revolution

PHOENIX have signed two more exciting young British players for next season.

Forwards James Neil and Robert Lachowicz, both 19, have joined from the Nottingham Panthers development programme.

The Nottingham-born signings complete player-coach Tony Hand's British contingent. "These guys have some good experience," he said.

Hand orders double as Phoenix rebuild

PHOENIX have signed experienced British forward Greg Wood for next season's campaign in the English Premier League.

The 22-year-old from Sheffield has spent the last three seasons with Coventry Blaze in the Elite League.

Phoenix sign rising star

PHOENIX have signed promosing teenage forward Iain Bowie.

The 19-year-old from Kirkcaldy played for Edinburgh Capitals in the Elite League last season as well as icing for EPL side Sheffield Scimitars. Bowie, a forward with an eye for goal, brings the Phoenix roster to eight.

Phoenix to leave top tier

MANCHESTER Phoenix will drop into the second tier of British ice hockey next season.

But club owner Neil Morris and player-coach Tony Hand believes it is the only way ahead for the Altrincham-based outfit.

Phoenix sign up Brits

LUKE Boothroyd and Adam Walker are set to be the first players signed by Manchester Phoenix for the new season.

Player-coach Tony Hand will reveal a handful of signings at a fans' meeting at the Britannia Hotel on Thursday and the two British boys are likely to be there.

Clouthier's Phoenix wish

PHOENIX tough guy Brett Clouthier wants to finish his ice hockey career in Manchester. But first of all he needs permission from his wife Nicole.

The big Canadian fans' favourite was voted the toughest player in the bmibaby Elite League for the second year running for his no-nonsense approach on the ice.

Beauregard leaves options open

PHOENIX player of the year David Beauregard says that his future is remains undecided – but it’s unlikely that he will return to Altrincham next season.

“Who knows?” said Beauregard when asked where he will be playing come August.

Morris: My faith in future

NEIL Morris could have walked away from Manchester Phoenix last season.

The club owner, who probably ploughed in £100,000 of his own money to keep the club going, had an offer from a Liverpool businessman.

Phoenix boss hails new deal

PHOENIX owner Neil Morris has hailed the new agreement which will see his club playing in the top level of British ice hockey once again next season.

But he has warned that the clubs have now got to act on the decisions made at Monday night's crisis meeting.

League boost for Phoenix

MANCHESTER Phoenix will be competing in the Elite League again next season after the nine remaining clubs reached agreement on a new format.

Phoenix, Edinburgh Capitals and Newcastle Vipers had been left out in the cold by Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Hull Stingrays, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers who wanted to move ahead with an 11 import strategy which could have caused financial problems for the less affluent clubs.

Steelers win play-offs

ELITE League champions Sheffield Steelers completed the double after successfully retaining their play-off crown following a 2-0 win over arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers.

Steelers, who beat Coventry Blaze by the same scoreline in last season’s final, went ahead through defenceman Steve Munn before Ryan Finnerty added a second in the final period.

Netminder Jody Lehman, having last year posted the first shut-out in a play-off final, repeated the feat as Panthers ended the season without any silverware.

Hand pens new Phoenix deal

MANCHESTER Phoenix player coach Tony Hand has signed a new three-year contract with the club.

Despite mounting speculation that Hand was on the verge of a move away from the Phoenix, club owner Neil Morris has agreed a new deal with the 41-year-old which is a major boost to the Altrincham-based outfit.

Phoenix ace set to fly

MANCHESTER Phoenix player of the year David Beauregard says his future is undecided - but it appears unlikely he will return to Altrincham next season.

"Who knows?" said Beauregard when asked where he will be playing come August. "I'm going to take some months off and rest but I'll look at my options over the summer and we'll see."

Phoenix in split fight

PHOENIX are preparing to battle fellow Elite League clubs who want to cast adrift their poorer partners.

Nottingham, Sheffield, Coventry, Belfast, Cardiff Devils and Hull Stingrays met last Monday and voted to re-structure the Elite League next season without canvassing the views of Manchester, Edinburgh Capitals or Newcastle.

Murphy's Britain blow

PHOENIX netminder Stephen Murphy is the odd man out for the World Championships in Poland.

Murphy, who had an impressive first season in Manchester, has been relegated to travelling reserve following the selection of Canadian goaltender Jody Lehman of Sheffield Steelers who recently became a British citizen.

Phoenix player ratings

ICE hockey's end-of- season extravaganza will take place at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham this weekend but Manchester Phoenix won't be there.

By the time Sheffield, Nottingham, Cardiff and Coventry lock horns in the Play-off finals weekend the majority of the Phoenix players will be travelling in Europe or back home in North America.

Phoenix 2 Nottingham 3

PHOENIX have been punching above their weight all season but they finally ran out of steam against Nottingham Panthers in last night's play-off quarter-final decider.

Trailing 6-3 from the first leg in the Midlands on Saturday, Tony Hand’s men battled valiantly in Altrincham but not surprisingly the tank was empty.

Nottingham 6 Phoenix 3

PHOENIX have a mountain to climb to reach the Play-off semi-finals next week after losing in Nottingham last night.

But the game was in the balance until the last few minutes.

Beauregard sweeps the board

DAVID Beauregard swept the board at the Phoenix player awards on Friday night.

The French-Canadian sniper lifted three player-of-the-year awards from the coach, the fans and the players, and also added the forward-of-the-year for good measure. Beauregard has shattered the bmibaby Elite League goalscoring record and last week was voted number one by the ice hockey writers.

Belfast 4 Phoenix 2 (7-5 on aggregate)

PHOENIX were denied silverware in Belfast again as they went down in the second leg of the Knockout Cup final.

After drawing 3-3 in Altrincham, the odds were stacked against the visitors, who also lost to the Giants in the Challenge Cup.

Phoenix ace player of the year

DAVID Beauregard’s stunning debut season in British ice hockey has been recognised with the French-Canadian sniper being voted Elite League Player of the Year by Ice Hockey Journalists UK.

The Phoenix forward, who arrived at Altrincham from Tulsa Oilers last July, has plundered a remarkable 59 goals so far this season.

Phoenix keyed up for triple challenge

STEPHEN Murphy says that Phoenix are in confident mood ahead of the biggest week of their season.

Phoenix travel to Belfast on Thursday for the second leg of the Knock-out Cup final before facing a play-off double-header against Nottingham at the weekend, and Murphy believes that last Sunday's Elite League overtime win over the Giants was perfect preparation for the upcoming week.

Phoenix 4 Belfast 3

PHOENIX ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-3 Elite League overtime win against Belfast in Altrincham tonight.

Due to Phoenix’s packed fixture schedule the game also doubled up as the first leg of the Knockout Cup final and as the overtime winner does not count for that competition the tie remains poised at 3-3.

Edinburgh 6 Phoenix 3

HOT-SHOT David Beauregard smashed the bmibaby Elite League goalscoring record on Saturday night.

But his two-goal haul could not stop Phoenix losing in Edinburgh.

Phoenix 5 Hull Stingrays 6

Hull Stingrays finally got the better of Manchester Phoenix last night but it took overtime and a penalty shootout to do it.

The teams have met eight times in league and cup this season and Phoenix had won the first seven but Hull are still fighting to make the playoffs and it showed in last night’s performance.

Brett Clouthier column

THERE was an unbelievable atmosphere in Belfast for our Challenge Cup final against the Giants.

I thought the Dundonald Ice Bowl was going to be a real dump but it was the opposite in many respects. It was perfect for that game and we kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the finish.

We worked as hard as we could but unfortunately we could not get the result, losing after the two ties 6-5 on aggregate.

Belfast 3 Phoenix 1 (agg 6-5)

MANCHESTER Phoenix’s cup-winning dream was put on hold last night – for another week at least.

Tony Hand’s men lost an epic Challenge Cup final in Belfast going down 3-1 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate.

But these two teams will start all over again next week in the final of the British Knockout Cup in Altrincham on Sunday and in the Northern Ireland capital on Thursday.

Fulghum plans St Patrick's surprise

LUKE Fulghum and Bobby Robins forged a lasting friendship as team-mates last season for the Elmira Jackals in America's East Coast Hockey League.

But by the end of next week the old ice hockey pals will be glad to see the back of each other.

Phoenix can shock Belfast

LUKE Fulghum and Bobby Robins forged a lasting friendship as team-mates last season for the Elmira Jackals in America’s East Coast Hockey League.

But by the end of next week the old ice hockey pals will be glad to see the back of each other.

Phoenix 3 Newcastle 5

PHOENIX captain Kenton Smith had no excuses after going down to Newcastle in Altrincham last night.

It was their fifth game in four nights as they battle for a fifth place Elite League finish and success in two cups and the play-offs.

Basingstoke 1 Phoenix 7

BRUCE Mulherin fired a hat-trick to help Phoenix to a comfortable victory in Basingstoke last night.

Tony Hand's men were 4-0 up at the first break with goals from Luke Fulghum, Lucas Burnett, Adam Walker and Mulherin.

Bruce blow for Phoenix

PHOENIX are without forward Kyle Bruce as they prepare themselves for six games in the next nine days.

Bruce has picked up a two-match ban for an incident at the end of the 4-3 defeat in Cardiff on Thursday and misses tonight's trip to Basingstoke and tomorrow's visit of Newcastle.

Phoenix then play Belfast in the second leg of the Challenge Cup final on Tuesday, Hull at home on Thursday, Edinburgh away on Saturday before entertaining Belfast in the league on Sunday.

Cardiff 4 Phoenix 3

TONY Hand and his Manchester Phoenix team were left frustrated for a second successive evening in South Wales last night.

Phoenix faced Cardiff Devils at the Cardiff Bay Arena on successive nights, losing 3-1 on Wednesday and 4-3 last night.

Player-coach Hand was furious when Cardiff had a goal awarded on Wednesday after a long discussion over whether the puck had gone in, while he was left perplexed again when Phoenix had a 'goal' ruled out because the net was adjudged to be off its moorings.

Cardiff 3 Phoenix 1

PHOENIX lost the first game of their double header with Cardiff to allow the Devils to draw level on 53 points in the league.

Cardiff went ahead when Jarvis forced the puck home with an assist going to Phil Hill, while Phoenix netminder Stephen Murphy produced a superb save to deny Jason Silverthorn when he skated clear.

"Phoenix are great offensively and they play a run and gun style of game which is good going forward, but can make them vulnerable going back," said Cardiff player-coach Gerard Adams.

Brett Clouthier column

BY this time next week I hope we'll have been drinking cold Guinness out of the Challenge Cup.

What an achievement that will be if we can beat Belfast on St Patrick's Day. The first leg on Sunday was an unbelievable game.

Phoenix fixture chaos

SUCCESS in the Challenge Cup and British KO Cup has left Phoenix with a king-sized fixture pile-up.

Tony Hand’s men are already playing a game every other day and face Belfast Giants in the second leg of the Challenge Cup next Tuesday taking a 4-3 lead to Northern Ireland.

Phoenix 4 Belfast 3

PHOENIX are well set for a St Patrick’s Day scrap for the Challenge Cup in Belfast.

Tony Hand’s men will take a one-goal lead to the Northern Ireland capital on Tuesday week – and if last night’s pulsating first leg of the final in Altrincham is anything to go by the fans are in for a cracker.

Hull Stingrays 1 Phoenix 6

PHOENIX warmed up for Sunday night's Challenge Cup final first leg against Belfast with a 6-1 thrashing of Hull Stingrays.

Four goals in the final period did the damage with Lucas Burnett singled out for special praise by player-coach Tony Hand.

Matsos: Steelers work paid off

SHEFFIELD Steelers coach Dave Matsos admitted three years of hard work had paid dividends after his side clinched the Elite League title.

Having beaten Newcastle Vipers 4-1 on Sunday night, Steelers claimed the crown for the first time since 2004 following Coventry Blaze's shock 4-1 home defeat by Hull Stingrays.

Matsos said: “The way it has turned out is not how I expected it but I will take all the same. We expected to win in Newcastle, what we didn't expect was Coventry to go down at home to Hull.

Brett Clouthier Column

IF you are a hockey fan, get yourself down to Altrincham on Sunday because we need your support.

It's our biggest game of the season against Belfast in the first leg of the Challenge Cup final and the guys are all really fired up for this game. Your support means so much to us.

Phoenix 4 Edinburgh 2

TOP scorer David Beauregard struck two late goals as Phoenix made it six wins from six against Edinburgh this season.

The hard-fought victory at Altrincham last night puts Phoenix level on points with Cardiff in fifth place in the Elite League as they look to secure a strong play-off spot.

Lucas up for a 'final' fling

LUCAS Burnett says Manchester Phoenix will go into the bmibaby Elite League clash with Edinburgh as if it were a cup final.

Phoenix are in Challenge Cup final action against Belfast on Sunday, but have two bread-and-butter games to fit in before then. Edinburgh, battling for a play-off place, are in Altrincham on Thursday (7.15pm) and Burnett said: "The cup is always in the back of your mind but every game is important and we never take a night off here."

Phoenix 5 Basingstoke 2

PHOENIX made it seven wins out of seven against Basingstoke Bison last night.

Lucas Burnett led the scoring with a brace in a game that was rearranged after the Basingstoke bus broke down on route to Altrincham.

Bruce bonus for Phoenix

MANCHESTER Phoenix's bid for silverware has been boosted by the return of forward Bruce Mulherin.

The 27-year-old has been struggling with a rib injury but insists he will be fit for Sunday's Challenge Cup final first-leg against Belfast. And Mulherin is determined to play through the pain barrier and get some time on the ice before the big clash.

Hand fires Phoenix warning

MANCHESTER Phoenix might well be in two cup finals but player-coach Tony Hand is still not prepared to accept second best in the league.

Phoenix went down at home to Coventry Blaze on Saturday night and the boss was clearly unhappy with a first period performance in which they shipped three goals in six minutes.

Phoenix 2 Coventry Blaze 6

DEFENDING champions Coventry Blaze have a mountain to climb to hang on to their bmibaby Elite League title.

But they are not prepared to let it go to Sheffield without a fight.

Phoenix bid to dim Blaze

PHOENIX player-coach Tony Hand is demanding no let up from his players as they switch from cup to league action against Coventry Blaze on Saturday night.

Phoenix are through to the British KO Cup final after beating Newcastle on Thursday after already qualifying for the Challenge Cup final against Belfast Giants.

Phoenix 5 Newcastle 4 (9-5 on agg.)

PHOENIX reached their second cup final this season by beating Newcastle in the knock out Cup semi-final.

After winning last week’s first leg 4-1 on Tyneside, Phoenix secured their place in the final with a 5-4 win at Altrincham to earn a 9-5 aggregate victory.

Brett Clouthier column

NEWCASTLE will come at us all guns blazing in Altrincham tomorrow.

Sure they are three goals down from the first leg but they want to get to this cup final just as much as we do.

Bison farce may be blessing

ADAM Walker reckons the cancellation of Sunday's Elite League match against Basingstoke could be a blessing in disguise.

The fixture against the Bison was postponed just half an hour before face-off due to the Hampshire team's bus breaking down en route to Altrincham.

Phoenix match off

MANCHESTER Phoenix were forced to call off their game against Basingstoke Bison last night just half an hour before it was due to start.

The Basingstoke bus broke down on the motorway en route to the match and many fans were already in their seats in the Altrincham ice rink when the decision to cancel the game was announced.

Basingstoke 2 Phoenix 5

CRACK-SHOT David Beauregard fired another hat-trick as Phoenix consigned Bison to their 17th defeat in a row.

The French-Canadian sniper took his goal tally to 52 in as many games with his fifth treble of the season.

Phoenix missing Mulherin

PHOENIX will be without key centreman Bruce Mulherin against Basingstoke this weekend.

Tony Hand’s men face a double-header against the Bison – the side they beat convincingly in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup last week – down south on Saturday and in Altrincham on Sunday (5.30pm).