Finally, the 2011-2012 season has arrived and following a trip to Slough on Saturday where we managed a 5-3 win and the 2 points it was time for Bison to visit the Ice Dome and what better way to start our defending season then hopefully sealing a 4 point weekend. Bison are no pushovers and after a altercation last season with Mr Chinn and Mr Harabin there seemed to be a few matters to settle meaning we were in for an exciting and physical game.
First Period
At the beginning of the game, Phoenix seemed to be on a high from beating Slough the previous night and we seemed to be in control. Duggan and Cingel both had great chances which managed to ricochet off the post. At 5:28 Ward broke away resulting in a shot on goal which Colclough looked to have saved, the referree blew his whistle which seemed to be under 3 seconds and the puck trickled over the line. Much to the Phoenix fans dismay the goal was not allowed due to the referree's "quick" whistle. At 6:51 Phoenix lost control of the game. Heron caught Wood napping in defence resulting in the first goal of the evening which was pretty much handed to him on a plate! At 14:42 Phoenix managed to tie the game with a great pick up and pass by Hand to Cingel who slotted the puck into the net. Despite the tying, Phoenix started to lose momentum and the defence seemed to disappear which Bison made the most of. At 15:04 after a bit of a prod and a poke the puck found it's way past Fone curtosy of our former Phoenix player Joe Miller. After that there seemed to be no stopping Bison and after another Phoenix defence disappearing act, Dubec got his name on the score card with a shorthanded goal which Fone did well to try and stop.
So at the end of the first, Bison had established a great lead by taking advantage of the mistakes made by Phoenix. They didn't seem to be creating as many chances as Phoenix were but were managing to finish the chances they got, which Phoenix weren't able to do. When Phoenix did create the chances Colclough was there to stop them in anyway he could and was proving difficult to beat. Hopefully Phoenix will have had a good talking to and will come out fighting next period.
Goals - Bison 6:51 - Heron, Assist - Chong, Tribe, Phoenix 14:42 - Cingel, Assist - Hand, Faith, Bison 15:04 - Miller, Assist - Harris, Chinn, Bison 18:23 - Dubec (shorthanded)
Second Period
Phoenix did come out fighting (well done Tony!) and after only 45 seconds of the period, the new and improved Wallace slotted the puck home for the long awaited second goal of the night. Bison started to get physical which resulted in a few retaliating digs from the Phoenix players. Unfortunately the referee had forgotten his glasses and at 33:14 Archer made his way to the penalty box for roughing followed by Harabin 22 seconds later for holding, resulting in Phoenix on a 3 on 5 penalty kill. Bison were kept at bay by some excellent defending and at 37:43 Wallace managed to find the back of the Phoenix net again to tie the game 3-3. At 39:40 another dodgy call by the referee resulted in Harabin returning to the box so Bison would start the third period on the powerplay.
End of the second and Phoenix had made a come back. The goals were well worked and things seemed to be clicking. Bison had become physical which had resulted in some poor decisions from the referee on both sides and Phoenix seemed to spend the majority of their time in the penalty box. However the penalty kill seemed to be working and Bison hadn't managed a goal on the power play. Bison will definitely coming out fighting as there is still all to play for and will probably up their physical presence on the ice. Phoenix need to hold their own and take advantage of the power play (if they get any!)
Goals - Phoenix 20:45 - Wallace, Assist - Koulikov, Phoenix 37:43 - Wallace, Assist - Hand, Cingel
Third Period
So the third period got underway and after some more sloppy defending by Phoenix, Bison took the lead again and Miller got his second of the night against his former team. At 43:36, Phoenix went on the power play when the referee called Dubec for roughing. Phoenix took advantage of the situation and at 43:57 Cingel got his second of the night to tie the game again at 4-4. At 46:11 Bronniman received a penalty for hooking and after mouthing off at the referee he spent another 10 minutes in the box for misconduct. Towards the end of the game the referee (yet again without his glasses) managed to miss a high stick to Archer and a boarding call on Duggan. He finally managed to put someone in the box at 56:11 but the game was drawing to a close and into over time we went.
Goals - Bison 42:07 - Miller, Assist - Moira, Phoenix 43:57 - Cingel, Assist - Hand (power play)
Over Time
We only saw 42 seconds of over time and it was possibly the strangest piece of hockey I've ever watched. After the normal opening face off and an icing call, the puck was brought back into the Bison zone for the face off. Hand and Moira skated up take the face off as usual and I'm not entirely sure how it happened, either Hand won the puck and had an attempt on goal or Moira won the face off and flicked the puck towards his own net, but somehow the puck managed to get past Colclough and into the back of the net, much to the Phoenix fans and the players amazement!
So at the end of the game Phoenix take the points for the first 4 point weekend of the new season (let's hope there are a lot more to come!) I think that the teams were quite evenly matched throughout the game and over time was probably the best result for both teams. I think that Colclough was brilliant in net and definitely deserved man of the match. Miller did a great job up front and it was nice to see him back to scoring form. To me, Phoenix didn't seem to play as well as they did against Steeldogs, that could be because Bison are a better team but there was just something wrong that I can't put my finger on. It's probably because they are still gelling as a team which is an ongoing process but like I said before there is definitely potential. I think that Wallace and Boothroyd played very well tonight, Wallace seems to have more of a presence on the ice than last season and Boothroyd has become a bit more physical! One concern is that Spelda didn't ice for the second and third periods tonight, I'm not sure whether that is because of an injury or not, fingers crossed it's the latter.
Bring on next weekend and the Swindon Wildcats. See you all there!
Goals - Phoenix 60:42 - Hand
Final Score - Phoenix 5 - Bison 4
MOM - Phoenix - Wallace, Bison - Colclough
28 Sept 2011
20 Sept 2011
War of the Roses
The season always starts a week early for us Phoenix fans as we take on the Sheffield Steeldogs in the War of the Roses where we have been unbeaten in since the competition started three years ago. This year would be a little different though, with Payette scooping up a few ex-Phoenix players to join his team this season. The Steeldogs have had a lot more ice time than Phoenix and prior to the game on Saturday we had only been on the ice twice as a team. With this in mind I would have been happy to come away with a draw on Saturday and no injuries. The Steeldogs took an early 3-0 lead but Phoenix came back and the game finished with a 4-4 draw. Unfortunately, with the help of Payette and Gomeniuk, Harabin and Long both got injured during the game. Payette slashed Harabin on his injured wrist from last season and Long got caught by Gomeniuk's knee resulting in the ex-Phoenix defender getting a match penalty.
So on Sunday off we went to the Ice Dome to hopefully retain the trophy for the third time. We got ourselves re-acquinted with friends following the summer break, dusted off our seats and got our voices ready for some shouting (it's been a while!) It was great to be back!
First Period
At the beginning of the game, Sheffield's pre-season ice time seemed to have paid off. They were passing the puck well and attacking the goal to give the defence and Fone something to think about. Payette didn't seem to be as aggressive and I stupidly thought that Sheffield had actually come to play hockey and not try to pick a fight. Of course I was wrong and after Payette and Harabin took a tumble on the ice, Payette decided to mock Harabin's injured wrist behind the referee's back and normal service was resumed. Sheffield then continued with their usual cheap digs and late checks, unfortunately Greg Wood was involved in most of this and seems to have turned into Payette Junior. Phoenix had some good chances but were unable to finish and were a bit scrappy in front of the net. Our best chance came at 11:20 when Hand and his new and improved first line broke away, the puck went just behind Bowns and he managed to keep the puck from sliding over the line.
So at the end of the first it was 0-0 and all still to play for, Sheffield were back to their old ways and Phoenix seemed to be starting to gel as a team. Both netminders were doing a sterling job and both teams were finding it difficult to get past them which could make a interesting second period
Second Period
The second period started pretty much where the last one left off but Phoenix seemed to be gelling, passes were being completed and the pace was quickening up which paid off and at 24:52 the Ice Dome erupted for the first Phoenix goal of the season, a lovely wrist shot from Koulikov straight through Bowns and into the back of the net. Immediately after the goal, Sheffield called a time out, which involved Payette getting angry (again!) and shouting at his fellow players. After Payette's little strop and the duck had been broken, it seemed like there was no stopping Phoenix and when a penalty was called on Bebris for holding, the power play commenced resulting in the second Phoenix goal of the night and the first for Faith. Sheffield started to get frustrated and at 31:15, Harabin was checked to the head by Jeffrey and he spent the next 10 minutes in the penalty box for his troubles. Yet another penalty was called on Sheffield for delay of the game and Phoenix took advantage of the power play resulting in goal number three for the Phoenix courtesy of Wallace.
At the end of the second Phoenix were 3-0 up and were looking like they were getting the hang of playing together. Phoenix were shooting more on the power play (we never score power play goals!) and it was working. Fone was still looking good in net and Spelda was impressive, backing Fone up and clearing the puck once he had made the initial save. Sheffield were getting angrier which was affecting their ability to play hockey. Phoenix have better players and due to the lack of ice time together it didn't work quite as well in the first leg, but it was working tonight.
Goals - Phoenix 24:52 - Koulikov, Assist - Archer, Phoenix 28:34 - Faith, Assist - Hand, Phoenix 34:55 - Wallace, Assist - Koulikov, Boothroyd
Third Period
At the beginning of the third, Sheffield made a come back and at 46:22 Sykes managed to get the puck past Fone after two great saves he just couldn't stop the third. After that Sheffield went quiet again, apart from the usual appearances in the penalty box, and Phoenix dominated the rest of the game. Bowns continued to make some fantastic saves including one on his back with his foot in the air and I wouldn't expect him to be in the Sheffield team for much longer. As Phoenix continued to get more comfortable on the ice together, the skills of the new import players started to show, a few passes through the legs and tricks with the puck kept the fans amused, until 58:46 Sheffield pulled Bowns and goal number four was scored with ease by Spelda to top of his day as it had been announced earlier that he had become a Dad for the first time!
At the end of the game, Phoenix completed their first win in the Ice Dome this season. I think that we deserved the win and after a shaky start, the team finally came together and started to gel. Obviously not the greatest performance in Phoenix history but what do you expect after only two days of practice. Sheffield seemed to return to their old ways. They have some really good players in the team this year and they play decent hockey when they need too, however I think that if things aren't going Payette's way he loses the plot and that is when the quality of hockey goes down the drain. Bowns is a great netminder and if the defence had been better, Phoenix may have struggled to get past him. I think there is great potential within the Phoenix team this season. The import players look very good and I think that they are all worthy replacements for our imports from last season. I also think that Koulikov may be the key to our team this year, he is all over the ice, scoring goals, defending and following through with checks.
Goals - Steeldogs 46:22 - Sykes, Assist - Calvert, Duncombe, Phoenix 58:46 - Spelda, Assist - Faith, Koulikov
Final Score - Phoenix 4 Steeldogs 1
MOM - Phoenix - Koulikov, Steeldogs - Bowns
So on Sunday off we went to the Ice Dome to hopefully retain the trophy for the third time. We got ourselves re-acquinted with friends following the summer break, dusted off our seats and got our voices ready for some shouting (it's been a while!) It was great to be back!
First Period
At the beginning of the game, Sheffield's pre-season ice time seemed to have paid off. They were passing the puck well and attacking the goal to give the defence and Fone something to think about. Payette didn't seem to be as aggressive and I stupidly thought that Sheffield had actually come to play hockey and not try to pick a fight. Of course I was wrong and after Payette and Harabin took a tumble on the ice, Payette decided to mock Harabin's injured wrist behind the referee's back and normal service was resumed. Sheffield then continued with their usual cheap digs and late checks, unfortunately Greg Wood was involved in most of this and seems to have turned into Payette Junior. Phoenix had some good chances but were unable to finish and were a bit scrappy in front of the net. Our best chance came at 11:20 when Hand and his new and improved first line broke away, the puck went just behind Bowns and he managed to keep the puck from sliding over the line.
So at the end of the first it was 0-0 and all still to play for, Sheffield were back to their old ways and Phoenix seemed to be starting to gel as a team. Both netminders were doing a sterling job and both teams were finding it difficult to get past them which could make a interesting second period
Second Period
The second period started pretty much where the last one left off but Phoenix seemed to be gelling, passes were being completed and the pace was quickening up which paid off and at 24:52 the Ice Dome erupted for the first Phoenix goal of the season, a lovely wrist shot from Koulikov straight through Bowns and into the back of the net. Immediately after the goal, Sheffield called a time out, which involved Payette getting angry (again!) and shouting at his fellow players. After Payette's little strop and the duck had been broken, it seemed like there was no stopping Phoenix and when a penalty was called on Bebris for holding, the power play commenced resulting in the second Phoenix goal of the night and the first for Faith. Sheffield started to get frustrated and at 31:15, Harabin was checked to the head by Jeffrey and he spent the next 10 minutes in the penalty box for his troubles. Yet another penalty was called on Sheffield for delay of the game and Phoenix took advantage of the power play resulting in goal number three for the Phoenix courtesy of Wallace.
At the end of the second Phoenix were 3-0 up and were looking like they were getting the hang of playing together. Phoenix were shooting more on the power play (we never score power play goals!) and it was working. Fone was still looking good in net and Spelda was impressive, backing Fone up and clearing the puck once he had made the initial save. Sheffield were getting angrier which was affecting their ability to play hockey. Phoenix have better players and due to the lack of ice time together it didn't work quite as well in the first leg, but it was working tonight.
Goals - Phoenix 24:52 - Koulikov, Assist - Archer, Phoenix 28:34 - Faith, Assist - Hand, Phoenix 34:55 - Wallace, Assist - Koulikov, Boothroyd
Third Period
At the beginning of the third, Sheffield made a come back and at 46:22 Sykes managed to get the puck past Fone after two great saves he just couldn't stop the third. After that Sheffield went quiet again, apart from the usual appearances in the penalty box, and Phoenix dominated the rest of the game. Bowns continued to make some fantastic saves including one on his back with his foot in the air and I wouldn't expect him to be in the Sheffield team for much longer. As Phoenix continued to get more comfortable on the ice together, the skills of the new import players started to show, a few passes through the legs and tricks with the puck kept the fans amused, until 58:46 Sheffield pulled Bowns and goal number four was scored with ease by Spelda to top of his day as it had been announced earlier that he had become a Dad for the first time!
At the end of the game, Phoenix completed their first win in the Ice Dome this season. I think that we deserved the win and after a shaky start, the team finally came together and started to gel. Obviously not the greatest performance in Phoenix history but what do you expect after only two days of practice. Sheffield seemed to return to their old ways. They have some really good players in the team this year and they play decent hockey when they need too, however I think that if things aren't going Payette's way he loses the plot and that is when the quality of hockey goes down the drain. Bowns is a great netminder and if the defence had been better, Phoenix may have struggled to get past him. I think there is great potential within the Phoenix team this season. The import players look very good and I think that they are all worthy replacements for our imports from last season. I also think that Koulikov may be the key to our team this year, he is all over the ice, scoring goals, defending and following through with checks.
Goals - Steeldogs 46:22 - Sykes, Assist - Calvert, Duncombe, Phoenix 58:46 - Spelda, Assist - Faith, Koulikov
Final Score - Phoenix 4 Steeldogs 1
MOM - Phoenix - Koulikov, Steeldogs - Bowns
19 Sept 2011
Phoenix complete 2011-2012 line up
So Tony Hand has finally completed the Phoenix line-up for next season and after me being rather nervous about the last few signings I am pleased to say I am very happy with our two final imports.
Juraj Faith joins Phoenix to complete the offensive for this season. The 35 year old has played most of his career in the Slovakian Extraliga and has been one of the best players in the league for years with an impressive 117 goals and 302 points. Faith started his career in his home town of Kosice where he returned on numerous occasions throughout his career, following spells in Germany and France he helped his home team win the championship in 2008. Faith is an all-round offensive player who can score goals, pass well and work both ends of the ice. He will complete the first line and play along side Tony Hand and Martin Cingel. Cingel and Faith are good friends which helped seal the deal and if it works I think this line could be better than last years first line (no offence to Kristofferson and Huppe!) I think that they are going to get better and better as the season goes on and fingers crossed will be unstoppable against the likes of Slough and Guildford. Faith is a great signing for Phoenix and I'm very excited to see what he can bring to the team to help defend the title.
Jorge El-Hage has been signed as the back up netminder to replace Summerfield for this season. El-Hage played for the Trafford Metros last season and has worked his way through the ranks playing regularly for the under 18s. I think that it is great to see young talent coming up into the senior team and it is brilliant for the club. El-Hage has a great opportunity to improve his skills and show us what he is made of. I'm looking forward to watching him grow as a netminder and step up to the mark if Fone gets injured. Is he as good as Summerfield? probably not but then again Summerfield wasn't great until he had to step up to the mark and I think El-Hage will do the same.
Last but not least, our final signing for the season is Jaroslav Spelda. Spelda has spent most of his career in the Czech Extraliga and at the age of 17 played for top side Pardubice. After a short spell in the lower division, Spelda was called up again to the Czech Extraliga and continued to play in the league until 2006 when he moved to Slovakia and joined our fellow Phoenix signing, Juraj Faith at HC Kosice. Spelda has played over 700 games in two of the top five European leagues and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Standing at 6ft and weighing 205lbs, Spelda is a big guy and I'm sure he isn't afraid of making the checks and hits when required. I think that Spelda is going to be a great addition to the blue line and an even better replacement for Gomeniuk. He is a top D-man and with his experience I think he has the potential to be the best D-man in the league (you heard it here first!) I also think that him and Harabin are the making of an unbreakable defence and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do on that blue line.
So that's it, all signings complete, just have to wait until the first game of the season to see what they can do.
I'm so excited! :)
Juraj Faith joins Phoenix to complete the offensive for this season. The 35 year old has played most of his career in the Slovakian Extraliga and has been one of the best players in the league for years with an impressive 117 goals and 302 points. Faith started his career in his home town of Kosice where he returned on numerous occasions throughout his career, following spells in Germany and France he helped his home team win the championship in 2008. Faith is an all-round offensive player who can score goals, pass well and work both ends of the ice. He will complete the first line and play along side Tony Hand and Martin Cingel. Cingel and Faith are good friends which helped seal the deal and if it works I think this line could be better than last years first line (no offence to Kristofferson and Huppe!) I think that they are going to get better and better as the season goes on and fingers crossed will be unstoppable against the likes of Slough and Guildford. Faith is a great signing for Phoenix and I'm very excited to see what he can bring to the team to help defend the title.
Jorge El-Hage has been signed as the back up netminder to replace Summerfield for this season. El-Hage played for the Trafford Metros last season and has worked his way through the ranks playing regularly for the under 18s. I think that it is great to see young talent coming up into the senior team and it is brilliant for the club. El-Hage has a great opportunity to improve his skills and show us what he is made of. I'm looking forward to watching him grow as a netminder and step up to the mark if Fone gets injured. Is he as good as Summerfield? probably not but then again Summerfield wasn't great until he had to step up to the mark and I think El-Hage will do the same.
Last but not least, our final signing for the season is Jaroslav Spelda. Spelda has spent most of his career in the Czech Extraliga and at the age of 17 played for top side Pardubice. After a short spell in the lower division, Spelda was called up again to the Czech Extraliga and continued to play in the league until 2006 when he moved to Slovakia and joined our fellow Phoenix signing, Juraj Faith at HC Kosice. Spelda has played over 700 games in two of the top five European leagues and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Standing at 6ft and weighing 205lbs, Spelda is a big guy and I'm sure he isn't afraid of making the checks and hits when required. I think that Spelda is going to be a great addition to the blue line and an even better replacement for Gomeniuk. He is a top D-man and with his experience I think he has the potential to be the best D-man in the league (you heard it here first!) I also think that him and Harabin are the making of an unbreakable defence and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do on that blue line.
So that's it, all signings complete, just have to wait until the first game of the season to see what they can do.
I'm so excited! :)
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