Ladzi Harabin scores a wonder goal for Phoenix

Viktor Kubenko destoyed Phoenix hopes of a four point weekend by scoring two goals and setting up the winner for Nicky Chinn.

The big Czech forward has the habit of producing the goods against Phoenix and delivered once again in Altrincham on Sunday.

Tony Hand’s men paid the penalty for defensive lapses after scoring three goals of the highest quality including goal of the season from Ladzi Harabin.

Phoenix went two up with goals from Slava Koulikov and Martin Cingel, both supplied by Juraj Faith.

But Kubenko put Bison back in the game with two  breakaway goals either side of the first break to level the scores.

Within seconds Basingstoke were ahead through Joe Miller and Phoenix were in disarray.

But then Harabin went “coast-to-coast” skating from one end of the rink to the other to level the scores with one of the best individual goals witnessed at the Altrincham rink.

But Phoenix hopes of victory were shattered in the third period when Kubenko set up Chinn for the winner.

“Ladzi’s was the goal of the year,” said Hand. “It was fantastic and worth the entrance money just to see that.

“But I would much preferred to have won at home in front of our own fans.

“They have been fantastic and deserve something to cheer about but we are doing everything we can to climb the table.

“We had a great win in Bracknell and the guys played well tonight.

“The transition was good and we had a lot of speed but we fell a goal short.

“But we will just have to keep battling away and hopefully get up the ladder.”