2011-2012 Season
The club began its work on building a squad to defend EPIHL title it claimed in the 2010-2011 season on 27 March, when it announced that player/coach Tony Hand had extended his contract by a further 3 seasons in addition to the one left on his current contract. This extension would keep him at the club until 2015
On 10 May 2011, the club announced 2 signings for the forthcoming season. Tom Duggan was announced as a returning player from the 2010-11 squad, and Slava Koulikov was announced as having been signed from the Slough Jets. The squad building continued on 24 May when the club announced that Luke Boothroyd and Ladislav Harabin would be returning for the 2011-2012 season.
During the off season, it was announced that the club had set a new record for Season Ticket sales, having sold over 440, offering some proof that the move away from the EIHL has been a success both on and off the ice.
On 30 October 2011, the club suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to the Basingstoke Bison, which ended a club record run of 212 consecutive games in which the Phoenix had scored at least 1 goal.
Despite losing player/coach Tony Hand to a serious injury, the club managed to remain competitive and finished a creditable 2nd in the league. The Club subsequently qualified for the play off finals weekend, where they defeated local rivals the Sheffield Steeldogs in the semi final, before losing to the Slough Jets in the final game
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Famous quotes containing the word season:
“When I was bound apprentice, in famous Lincolnshire,
Full well I served my master for more than seven year,
Till I took up poaching, as you shall quickly hear:
Oh, ‘tis my delight on a shining night, in the season of the year.”
—Unknown. The Lincolnshire Poacher (l. 1–4)