The Basingstoke Bison collected their first Elite League points of the season on Sunday evening with a 7-4 away win in Manchester.

After going 2-1 up 5 and half minutes into the second period the Phoenix collapsed as the Bison hit four goals in a six-minute period to put them in the driving seat.

The visitors showed their intent early on as Brad Cruikshank netted on the powerplay with only 1.42 on the clock. The hosts pulled the game level at 8.25 with a goal from Sean Starke.

The home side then went in front at 25.27 with a goal from Scott Basiuk. Then the floodgates opened, Bison tied the game at two apiece two minutes later as Greg Chambers netted. Two powerplay goals followed, the first from Steve Thornton at 30.14 and then Peter Campbell at 33.49. Steve Thornton with his second of the game then made it 5-2 at 35.55 to put the Bison in command.

The Bison made it 6-2 at 41.46 as Steve Thornton completed his hat trick. The home side's player/coach Tony Hand pulled one back at 42.29. Danny Stewart netted goal number seven for the Bison at 48.18. The hosts found the net again at 49.46 with a goal from Adam Walker, but this turned out to be the last goal of the game.

Period Scores: 1-1, 1-4, 2-2
Penalty Mins: 10-6
Shots On: - Scott Frankhouser 31 - Stevie Lyle 37

Other Sunday scores:

bmibaby Elite League

Coventry Blaze 6 Sheffield Steelers 2
Edinburgh Capitals 6 Hull Stingrays 3
Newcastle Vipers 4 Nottingham Panthers 2

Challenge Cup - Group A

Cardiff Devils 7 Belfast Giants 1