Jeff Glowa wins a face-off against Manchester at the Hull Arena

Dave Phillips, Bryce Thoma and Luke Boothroyd scored the other goals at the Hull Arena to ensure a winning finale.

The Rays finished bottom of the Elite League and missed out on the play-offs.

But coach Rick Strachan still praised his side's efforts on the night. "The whole team did a job," he said, "even though there was nothing to play for."

It was end to end, a coach's nightmare. But the fans loved it with some great passing, some great goals and some huge blunders Rick Strachan

Early goals from Thoma and Riddle inside the first six minutes saw the Rays get off to a flying start to lead 2-0 at the first break.

Manchester then grabbed a goal back in the first minute of the middle session through Simon Mangos but Boothroyd's calm finish ensured a two-goal margin for the home side going into the final twenty minutes.

The Phoenix hit back when Joe Tallari found the net but a three-goal blast from the Stingrays secured the points for the Elite League's basement club.

Phillips' low shot widened the margin for the Rays before Riddle went on the net his 21st and 22nd goals of the season in quick time to complete his hat-trick.

Strachan, who has seen his side stricken this season by a series of long-term injuries to crucial players, added: "It was end to end, a coach's nightmare.

"But the fans loved it with some great passing, some great goals and some huge blunders. And it was an entertaining game all round."