EPL ICE HOCKEY PLAYOFF FINALS:
Semi final 1: Manchester Phoenix 4 Swindon Wildcats 3 (after OT)
Semi final 2: Basingstoke Bison 5 Guildford Flames 2
Manchester Phoenix and Basingstoke Bison will renew the rivalry that has characterised this year’s campaign as the curtain comes down on the EPL season tomorrow.
Both sides will be chasing a silverware double as they meet in the post-season playoff final at the Skydome in Coventry.
Phoenix, who won the EPL league title by beating Bison 5-2 on March 16, booked their place in the showdown after an epic battle against a valiant, never-say-die Swindon Wildcats side in the first semi-final.
Andy McKinney gave Phoenix the lead just before the nine minute mark, but Ryan Watt equalised for Swindon just over a minute later.
A frantic three minutes I the second period saw Aaron Nell give Wildcats the lead on 28 minutes, before Michal Psurny levelled the tie with a wonderful individual effort on 30 minutes. This lasted barely a minute, though, as Jonas Hoog regained the lead for Swindon on 31 minutes.
McKinney grabbed his second and a priceless equaliser for Phoenix on 48 minutes, before Frantisek Bakrlik hit the overtime winner to put Phoenix into the final and keep their Double dream alive.
They were joined by EPL Cup holders Basingstoke Bison, who dispatched Guildford Flames 5-2 in the second semi-final.
The final starts at the Skydome, Coventry, at 4pm tomorrow (Sunday 6 April)
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