After the game, in an emotional ceremony, Phoenix managing director Neil Morris announced the club would be retiring Parrish’s No. 17 shirt as a mark of respect for the service that the 36-year-old American has given to ice hockey in Manchester.
An emotional Parrish said: “The reception the fans gave me was very special and for the club to retire my shirt is the ultimate personal accolade.
“I’m really sorry to be leaving and the club mid-season and I’d like to pay tribute to the club, the management, coach Tony Hand, all of the players and, most of all, the supporters who gave me this fabulous send-off.
"I look forward to returning in the future to visit family and bring my son Max to watch hockey in Manchester.”
Despite the early loss of enforcer Brett Clouthier, Phoenix scored a lightning-fast brace in the space of just eight seconds.
Luke Fulghum continued his fine recent run of form, getting on the end of a pass from David-Alexandre Beauregard and from the restart a defensive lapse by the Vipers allowed Lucas Burnett hammered home Phoenix’s second.
The dominant home side then made it a three-goal margin just before the first interval as the League’s top scorer Beauregard bagged his 36th goal of the season.
However, Newcastle hit back in the second period and reduced arrears in the 29th minute as Chris McAllister released Todd Griffith to beat Murphy in the Phoenix net.
And with Carl Graham in the penalty box at the start of the final period, Griffith was on hand again to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finale.
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