The Blaze,who have dropped to fourth in the Elite League table, took the lead after 1.50 when Tom Watkins scored assisted by Danny Stewart and Russ Cowley.
Both sides kept things tight on the ice with Paul Thompson's side having twice as many shots as the home side in the first period.
The Blaze were again guilty of failing to score on a power play and Manchester did just that on 36.09. Jon Weaver was off the ice for two minutes for hooking and Phoenix made the most of it this as Bruce Mulherin equalised assisted by Kenton Smith and Lucas Bennett.
For the travelling support who had made it through the M6 traffic to Altrincham, this was only a brief set-back. Fifty five seconds after the equalising goal, Jon Weaver assisted by Russ Cowley, scored to put Coventry back in front.
Blaze had eighteen shots to Manchester's six in the second period and attacked them from the start of the third period. Unfortunately, they could not find another goal and had to settle for a 2-1 victory.
On Tuesday, Blaze travel to Belfast to play the Giants in a Knockout Cup tie. The return leg at the Sky Dome is twenty four hours later. Face off for both games is at 7.45pm.
On Saturday January 17th, Blaze are at home to Newcastle Vipers (Face Off 7.pm) and then travel to Edinburgh on Sunday to play the Capitols (Face Off is at 6pm)