Manchester Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand has stressed the positives shown during the club's season despite their narrow Elite League play-off exit.

The weekend's 9-8 aggregate defeat by Sheffield Steelers meant the season ended in disappointment.

Hand told the Manchester Evening News: "The performance was a credit to our guys. In two years, we're now competing with the top teams in the play-offs.

"We've got nothing like Sheffield's budget but we've come a long way."

He added: "I couldn't have asked any more of the guys."