The Manchester Phoenix Podcast

Listen here. Top of the League; three games in hand; home advantage for the Cup and a shut-out for Stephen Fone before a sell-out crowd. The boys certainly delivered. I'm going to leave it at that but for saying Happy Christmas to you all. Ben and the team

Have a listen to the show right here. Phoenix go top again after a four-point weekend whilst the Flames suffer a loss against Bison.  Anthony Russell will be happy! On this week's show, we talk about the changes at Telford as well as elsewhere in the League.  Telford are certainly turning some heads but will it be enough to put them in contention for any silverware this season? We catch-up with Patrick Smyth of A View From The Bridge podcast. We have a chat with Joe Graham about what he intends to do with his time off this week as Phoenix are now on a break for a couple of weeks and how he's happy that James Neil won the Man of the Match award this Sunday. All of that plus period-by-period commentary on a slightly controversial but very packed game at the Ice Dome. Now go and get that Christmas shopping done, you layabouts!

Have a listen right here. A two-point weekend for the Phoenix as the head-to-head weekend against the Bees really takes its toll on the lads. We all knew that the plucky southerners have it in them to upset teams much higher in the table and they certainly put up a challenge this weekend. It's clearly not the end of the world as the Flames got a pasting from the Bison too but Michal Psurny is feeling the frustration of not being able to work his magic on the opposition net.  In his post-match interview from Saturday, his command of the English language demonstrates his irritation at struggling only to find the back of the net once that night.  Of course, he did strike it lucky on Sunday to provide the second of the meagre two goals that went Phoenix's way at the Hive, too. We're also pleased to announce the return of Nigel McFarlane to this week's show and also the addition, for this week, of Swindon Wildcats fan, Joe Scutts. Enjoy the show!

Have a listen right here. Another game that Phoenix fans were hoping would not be the banana-skin to let the top slot slip away, this week. Most Phoenix fans know that Bison can be the bete-noir of our boys and were anticipating a narrow win or a narrow loss on Sunday at the Dome. As it happened, it was a result that nobody saw coming especially with Basingtoke on form recently. This week's show features a guest disclaimer from Bison media bod and friend of the show, Anthony Russell of Banners on the Wall.  Thanks to him! No player interview this week as Ben is still suffering from a cold and doesn't want to pass on the germs to any of our lads at this important time in the season. We hope you enjoy the show. Why not get in touch?  podcast@manchesterphoenix.co.uk

Listen here. Two points out of a weekend featuring an away game to the Flames isn't bad, for sure. After being run pretty close by those pesky Wildcats on Saturday, the Phoenix jumped on the bus to the Spectrum and fought hard. Sadly, a good streak for the Flames in the third period put the game just beyond the boys' reach and the Flames took the victory. Never mind though.  Phoenix still have a game in hand and so the Flames have not got away and the space beneath has opened up slightly too. So, onwards and upwards.

It was time for Sheffield to try and shake the Phoenix-shaped monkey off their back. It was time for Andre's bet with Tambo to be paid.  And glorious it was too. It was time for Phoenix to nail the third game of their series with the pups.  And they did. Have a listen right here.

Listen to this week's show right here. What a weekend of hockey it was!  Down in Sheffield, where this week's show begins, we saw a game of hockey that few were expecting.  Of course, the result of it is two points for Phoenix and Payette being forced to wear a Phoenix jersey for a week.... James Neil will survive his crunch with Hirst but he's going to be sore for a while. Then Sunday saw the first visit of MK Lightning to the Dome. It was a tough, fast and physical game from the face-off and featured a bit of everything: goals, impressive saves, scrapping and a full-on line brawl.  It never rains but it pours with this particular visiting storm. Anyway, for all the fun of the rollercoaster weekend and to hear how Phoenix are still sitting atop the league, get this show in your ears. Catch you next week.

What a tight weekend double-header that was! Phoenix got stung on the away leg and it went to the wire on Sunday night. Lots of grumbles being heard from both sides on the subject of the officiating so take it as read that the disclaimer applies to this show, please. Whatever way you look at it, these were hard-fought games and neither side wanted to give an inch. So tired just from watching that I am just going to say this: Listen right here!

Phoenix get clear at the number one spot after a weekend of gruelling hockey against a deep-benched Guildford Flames. After dropping two points down south on the Saturday, Phoenix were in no mood to tolerate getting turned-over at Fortress Ice Dome on Sunday. After a slightly worrying first period where the Flames seemed to take the initiative, Phoenix bounced right back in the second period and hammered the win home in the third. After an exhausting game, we are joined by Joe Graham to talk lasagne and injuries. Enjoy the show, folks!

It's getting a bit silly, isn't it? Slough were not bad. It's true.  They just had nothing to combat an on form Phoenix. Goals from all over and a defence that left Foney with little to do.  But even what he had left to do, he did well. Flames double-header next weekend.  Are they ready? Have a listen right here.

Phoenix are still riding high at the top of the league table after this weekend.  A clinical road game against the Wildcats and then a home game where the scoreboard tipped into double figures again! So, some may talk about a team putting 11 past a young(ish) netminder, especially for the second weekend in a row.  I say this.  Firstly, I don't recall Peterborough taking it easy on young Jorge last season when Phoenix were well and truly beaten.  Secondly, no other team in the league takes it easy in those circumstances.  Thirdly, it's a sport.  It is unsporting to wind it in in a league where goal difference is relevant.  Or at all for that matter.  How patronising is that to young talent? Rant over. Shut outs a-go-go and we look forward to Peterborough returning to have another pop at us.  We'll be waiting. Listen to the show right here.

The Slough Jets are a good team.  They have been for years.  They have their ups and downs, for sure, but they are an impressive side this season. Missing Ryan Watt was perhaps a bit of a problem for the Jets this weekend though and there was a further problem for them when Mr Rockman was not able to ice due to injury on the Sunday night's game. That said, Phoenix ran them all over the place on Saturday night and for most of the game on Sunday.  A tough team to beat under Slava's watchful coaching and with a back-up netminder who was no easy mark in Danny Milton. A good result for Phoenix who are 4 for 4 and are sitting on top of the league table with a perfect 8 points. An interesting weekend around the EPL as the Steeldogs nearly beat the Flames but were pipped after Andre Payette got the boot with 10 minutes remaining.  More Corey Nielson hockey! Anyway, enjoy the show and we'll catch you next weekend against Swindon and Peterborough. Listen to the show here.

Wellerty, wellerty, wellerty! Sheffield were minus their mascot ("Soft Wood") and Sedlar pulled something when Hirst put him in a tricky spot whereby he both zigged and zagged at the same time.  It looked painful. Phoenix took a little while to find their flow on the attack but, boy did they find it in the end! I hope you enjoy the show and like the season intro.  Please spread the word about the podcast and get your mates listening. Also, please enjoy the photo I posted of the scoreboard.  I feel a new phone wallpaper coming on. Listen here.

Welcome to series six of the Official Manchester Phoenix Podcast! Well, actually, series six starts next week.  This is the War of the Roses special episode covering the pre-season series against those naughty pups from over t'hill. The team are back and geared-up to give you another season of coverage of your super-soar-away Phoenix.  You can, of course, expect the level of punditry and professionalism you know and love. We'll be back in your eye-holes next weekend.  For now, follow the rollercoaster of this cup tie and feel happy for Sheffield...  About time somebody from the City of Steel won something, eh? Listen here.

Hangover has just about cleared and the 2013/14 shirt launch is nearly upon us so what better time to get a full 2 hours and 5 seconds of Playoffs Live from Coventry? Well, ok, so a better time might have been a couple of months ago but I was tired. The Saturday show is available still on Spreaker but the sound in the offline recording is not really of podcast quality and we fell off air a few times so instead here's the show featuring Neil Morris saying naughty words, Anthony Russell making predictions, James Neil, Carl Graham and Dwight Parrish. Oh, yeah. That and tremendous Phoenix win!  Listen right here.