EPL ICE HOCKEY:

Manchester Phoenix 6 Sheffield Steeldogs 4

Manchester Phoenix retained their place on top of the EPL after yet another thrilling, blood and thunder derby win against Sheffield Steeldogs.

Phoenix came into the game on the back of a thrilling 4-3 overtime win away at Slough Jets on Saturday. In a breathless, high tempo opening, Sheffield took the lead after just 44 seconds when Lubomir Korhon pounced on a rebound. But Phoenix responded immediately as Michal Psurny blasted home an equaliser half a minute later.

Phoenix squandered a series of power plays and it was Korhon again who grabbed a second for Steeldogs on 15 minutes. This lit the fuse for simmering tempers to flare as Andy McKinney and Callum Pattison went toe to toe in a long, bruising encounter that brought rousing applause from both sets of fans.

The second period continued with the same tempo, if not the tempers. Phoenix struck back with a shorthanded equaliser from Robin Kovar on 27 mines, but four goals in two minutes at the end of the session effectively ended the game as a contest as Phoenix took charge.

Psurny blasted in a sweet power play effort on 37 minutes that gave Phoenix the lead, followed by a go ahead goal from Bakrlik just 22 seconds later. Ben wood grabbed a rare marker just before the 39 minute point, and Bakrlik rifled in his second and Phoenix's sixth 16 seconds after the restart.

Sheffield player coach Andre Payette attempted to reignite the flame in his shell-shocked side by grappling with Joe Graham three minutes into the final period, and it seemed to work as Steeldogs regained their composure and once again put Phoenix under pressure. Phoenix were still dangerous on the break, but it was Sheffield who looked more likely to score in the final stages.

This was borne out when Ashley Calvert scrambled home a third for Sheffield on 51 minutes, and Lloyd Gibson struck for a fourth with less than ten seconds remaining.