Ice Hockey: Manchester end goal drought

After several games without a goal, and four without a win, Manchester Phoenix found their form in emphatic style, beating Cardiff Devils 5-2 in the Elite League on Sunday.

Phoenix took a 3-0 lead before two goals from Jeff Brown brought the visitors back into the game. However, Mike Morin scored his second of the night to settle matters. David Kozier, Mike Lankshear and George Awada also scored.

"I felt we didn't play too badly," the Devils coach, Glenn Mulvenna, said. "In the first period Manchester had the better game but we didn't take our chances. We were back in the game at 3-2 but couldn't get the bounces."

Coventry Blaze and Basingstoke Bisons drew 2-2 after Blaze took a two-goal lead in the first period through Hilton Ruggles and Ashley Tait. But they could not hold on to their advantage as Basingstoke drew level in the second period with goals from Joe Ciccarello and Matt Reid.

Sheffield Steelers lost their first game of the season, 5-2 at home to Belfast. The Giants' Paul Sample opened the scoring before Gerad Adams equalised. Two goals from both Colin Ward and Todd Kelman put Giants top of the table. The victory completed a great weekend for the Giants who beat Manchester 2-0 on Friday evening.

Rob Stewart, the Giants' coach, was delighted with Sunday's performance in Sheffield. "Everyone played very well and there was a consistent performance throughout the game," he said. "Winning two consecutive games on the road is a great achievement and it helps team morale for the next home game, particularly as we've been playing without Curt Bowen."

Bowen, the assistant coach, may return for tonight's home game against the London Racers. He sustained an eye injury in a recent game when he was hit by the puck.