Martin Cingel

Player coach Tony Hand reckons Manchester Phoenix need to polish up their defence and sharpen their attack after Sunday’s victory over Swindon Wildcats.
The result was in the balance until the final buzzer, and it was too close for comfort after the previous night’s defeat at Milton Keynes.

Hand said: “I thought we had control of the game for the most part, but we were a bit sloppy in defence and let them back in it.

“It was similar the night before against Milton Keynes and I have spoken to the lads about it.

“We are a new team and a couple of players don’t speak the language and we are still finding our feet.

“When they scored right at the end of the second period it gave them a boost and we made it harder for ourselves.”

It took Phoenix until the second period to hit the net with Martin Cingel firing in from close range.
The defending English Premier League champions then doubled their lead moments later, with Czech defenceman Jaroslav Spelda launching a thunderous drive from the blue line.

The lead was increased three minutes later, with Cinglel again finding room in the slot to put away a rebound.
Sam Richardson gave Swindon hope with a tip in just before the period break, making the score 3-1

Swindon came out in the third period with renewed vigor, and it took just three minutes for Jaroslav Cesky to reduce the deficit to one and set up a tense finish.

Both netminders made some fine saves and in the dying moments Swindon pulled their netminder but Phoenix were unable to find the empty net.