PHOENIX hero KC Timmons is hoping the arrival of new signing Anthony Battaglia will boost their hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Timmons hit the winner in Thursday's crucial 6-5 win over Hull and praised the contribution of the 27-year-old American who arrived on Wednesday to bolster player-coach Tony Hand's creaking squad.

"Having Anthony has made a big difference because we were so short-handed," said Timmons. "A lot of the games we were losing was because we were playing a game nearly every day and were down to just two lines with guys playing different positions.

"We have not played a team yet that has been down to just two lines so it's nice to get some bodies in to settle everything down."

Phoenix are in action tonight at bmibaby Elite League leaders Coventry before entertaining Cardiff Devils at Altrincham on Sunday (5.30pm) in another vital game.

Timmons hopes Thursday's win can be a turning point and that they can gather enough points to secure a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

Character

"The win on Thursday night had been coming for a while. We have been playing decently but sometimes you just have to dig wins out and to keep coming back from behind showed our character," he said.

"We kept shooting ouselves in the foot. We would get a goal and then they would get one back but we stuck with it.

"To be honest, we were pretty much in their end all the game but then a little breakdown would happen and they would score.

"It has been frustrating and we have found it difficult getting goals but it was good to see different guys getting on the scoresheet.

"I've been struggling to score so hopefully this can be the start of a scoring run."

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