11:03am Thursday 10th December 2009
By Nigel McFarlane
Ice Hockey - TONY Hand hailed his table topping Manchester Phoenix after they came from behind to secure two vital victories at the weekend.
Following the 5-4 wins over Bracknell and Milton Keynes he praised his side's never say die attitude.
“I give all credit to my players,” he said. “They fought and battled for every puck and I thought we deserved the points for their effort and determination alone.
“Twice over the weekend we were 4-1 down and we could have let our heads drop, but they simply rolled up their sleeves and gave it their all. The guys are showing a belief in themselves that as a coach is so pleasing to see.
"We've had a great run recently and we've got some hard game before Christmas to contend with as we lose four guys to the GB Under-20 team, and that will test the rest of us even more.”
Manchester travel to Peterborough Today (8pm) hoping to make their game in hand over Milton Keynes count and go five points clear.
Meanwhile, Phoenix confirmed they failed in an attempt to sign Sheffield Scimitars' Pasi Raitanen on loan as cover for the injured netminder Stephen Fone.
Tony Hand has also made the decision to call up five players from the Trafford Metros - forwards John Murray, Jake Nurse and Andy McKinney, defenseman Max Drakeley and goaltender Declan Ryan - to cover for four players who have been called up for the GB u20s team.
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