ICE HOCKEY: FANS of the region's biggest ice hockey club will get a close-up glimpse of their heroes in action at Deeside Ice Rink next week.
Elite League outfit Manchester Phoenix have arranged two pre-season challenge matches against Milton Keynes at the Queensferry venue, rather than at their MEN Arena home.
Phoenix's two local recruits - netminder Dave Clancy, of Queensferry, and Mancot's Marc Lovell - could be handed their debuts against the English Premier League side this Wednesday. Milton Keynes, whose squad will include guest players from Basingstoke, return to Deeside for the second match the following Wednesday (September 10).
Manchester head coach Rick Brebant said: 'This is an ideal opportunity for fans to see the new squad in action and a good opportunity for me to gauge the progress of our local players who have been working out all summer.
'The import players will appreciate the game too as they acclimatise to the systems we will be working on.'
The Manchester giants this summer struck a deal to use Deeside as a training base during the forthcoming season. The fact that such a high-profile club has agreed to play two challenge matches there comes as a further boost to ice hockey in Flintshire.
* The Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey will attend both matches against Milton Keynes to sell merchandise and hand out information about ticket sales, fan events and away travel to Phoenix matches.
* Admission for both games is £9 for adults and £6 for OAPs and children. Face-off is 8pm.
For more information, contact Deeside Leisure Centre on 01244 814725 or visit the Manchester Phoenix official website at: www.manchesterphoenix.co.uk
* The Phoenix begin their league campaign at Cardiff on Saturday, September 13. They entertain London Racers at the MEN Arena the following day.
