PHOENIX player-coach Tony Hand and Belfast goalie Stevie Lyle are off to France this week with the Great Britain squad.

But there was no old pals' act between the two international colleagues in Altrincham on Sunday night.

In fact Hand, the Great Britain assistant coach, tormented his younger rival - setting up two goals and scoring one himself as Phoenix chalked up an impressive victory over the league's form team.

"That's the best we've played all season," said a happy Hand.

"But I was just happy to get the two points. Belfast and Coventry are the two best teams in the league and to get anything against them is a bonus.

"We scored some good goals early on to take the lead and then we played smart hockey to hang on to it."

Phoenix had the luxury of a rare night off on Saturday while, in contrast, Belfast had a tough, bruising battle with Coventry - an encounter they lost to snap a 16-game unbeaten run.

Not surprisingly, the home side were quickest out of the blocks, racing to a 4-1 first-period lead. Joe Tallari's opener was levelled by Peter Campbell before Phoenix hit three quickfire goals in a stunning 90-second burst.

Making the most of a five-on-three advantage, Simon Mangos and Tallari both struck power-play goals before Luke Stauffacher bagged a fourth goal.

Hand then made it 5-1 early in the second period before the Giants hit back through Trevor Johnson and Scott Cameron.

However, six minutes into the third period Brian Passmore made it 6-3 and Phoenix hung on for victory.