After a loss at Swindon on Saturday night and what seemed like a poor game for Phoenix, it was time for Bracknell to visit the Ice Dome for the first time this season. Following the loss of Pinc and Cesky to Swindon, Bracknell signed Masa and Smital from Guildford as replacements. Both these players are very influential players and could make it difficult for Phoenix tonight. If I'm being honest I quite fancied Masa for the Phoenix team this year as he impressed me when he played against us last season. Archer and Ward return for this game but Spelda is still out following ankle surgery.
First Period
The first period saw Phoenix take control of the game and after only 1:04 minutes, Phoenix took the lead following some great passing from Cingel and Hand for Faith to slot the puck home. The lead didn't last long and with 3 minutes on the clock Bracknell levelled the game, Thompson chipping the puck over Fone's head. At 4:41, the Ward, Long and Duggan line started to get going and created some great chances, unfortunately the quick reactions of Ambler denied Phoenix the chance of taking the lead. The Phoenix fans didn't have to wait much longer for another goal and at 5:54 Wallace fired the puck into the top left hand corner just making it over the line. At 6:34 the first penalty of the game was called, unfortunately it was against Harabin for tripping. However the power play didn't seem to phase Phoenix who spent most of their time in the Bees zone and trying to get another goal past Ambler. The chances just kept coming for Phoenix and at 10:36 Cingel had a great chance but his shot just missed the net. After this Bracknell started to get frustrated and at 15:25 there was a few handbags between Spearing and Johnson which resulted in Spearing getting a 10 minute misconduct penalty for trying to start a fight which Johnson wasn't having any of so hence he didn't get a penalty. At 16:02 Phoenix extended the lead further, this time Koulikov received a great pass to tap the puck into the back of the net. With 2 minutes left in the period there was a great scrap in front of the Bees net to try and get the puck into the net. The referee blew the whistle but I'm not entirely sure he knew where the puck was as there was that many bodies!
After an eventful first period, Phoenix were leading the game 3-1 and they were looking good. The passing and puck work was impressive and they had dominated the period. The Bees didn't seem to really get into the game and apart from the goal seemed to stay in the shadows. Hopefully now Phoenix have the lead they won't stop playing and continue to maintain it in the second period.
Goals - Phoenix 1:04 - Faith, Assist - Cingel, Hand, Bees 3:00 - Thompson, Assist - Johnson, Masa, Phoenix 5:54 - Wallace, Assist - Koulikov, Boothroyd, Phoenix 16:02 - Koulikov (unassisted)
Second Period
The second period started well for Phoenix and pretty much straight from the face off, Faith got his second of the night, straight past Ambler and into the top right hand corner. Not long after this Phoenix had another great attempt at goal, this time Wallace fancied his second of the night, after some fancy puck work and some dodgy saves from Ambler the puck just wouldn't get in the back of the net. At 30:04, Boothroyd was called for interference and the Bees took advantage of the power play, a well worked goal scored by Jasik saw the Bees close down the lead. The Phoenix defence started to look a bit shaky and at 33:17 Smital tapped in an easy one to make us Phoenix fans a little nervous.
So the Bees had started a come back meaning only a one goal difference to start the third period. Phoenix started well but yet again once we get the lead we seem to lose concentration. The defence seemed to be lacking when needed and Fone didn't look as solid in net as usual. The Bees have never seemed to shine, the power play goal was a good goal but the other was pretty easy to score and was tapped in. The referee had missed a few calls which hadn't helped either team. Phoenix need to forget the second period and play like they did in the first in order to win the game.
Goals - Phoenix 21:43 - Faith, Assist - Hand, Bees 31:06 - Jasik, Assist - Smital, Graham (power play), Bees 33:17 - Smital, Assist - Johnson
Third Period
Phoenix again started the period well and created numerous chances including Hand robbing the puck from Ambler and his shot being nearly scooped into the back of the net by Ambler! At 46:43 Phoenix finally managed another goal, following a great pass from Long to Duggan, who made Ambler go one way whilst he slot the puck past him the other. Bracknell obviously didn't like this and at 54:09 it all kicked off. Harabin and Masa came together at centre and Watchorn, who seems to have a big ego and wanted to prove a point, dropped his gloves and attacked Harabin who didn't have a chance to fight him back. Thankfully he got a match penalty for roughing which he thoroughly deserved. Harabin got a two minute penalty for kneeing and Masa two minutes for slashing. Phoenix kept the pressure on until the end of the game, creating chance after chance but unfortunately for the Phoenix fans no more goals were forthcoming and the buzzer sounded to end the game.
At the end of the game, Phoenix finally win a game at home this season with out going into overtime (I was in Sweden with the boy when we beat Peterborough)! I think that Phoenix played well tonight, probably the best I have seen them play this season. Things were starting to work, passes were being completed and the team looked a lot more confident than the previous games. The defence still needs a bit of work but I think the players are adjusting to not having Spelda on the ice and could have possibly caused the issues tonight. The Bees didn't seem to ever get going, I think that they have some stand out players but Ambler can be a bit hit and miss in net which causes problems in the defence.
Goals - Phoenix 50:54 - Duggan, Assist - Long
Final Score - Phoenix 5 - Bees 3
MOM - Phoenix - Faith, Bees - Smital
22 Oct 2011
Phoenix v Jets - Sunday 16th October 2011
Only one game this week for Phoenix and not an easy one at that. Slough have always been a tough team to beat and with the Greener brothers and Watt getting under the skin of everyone and chipping away it always seems to be Phoenix that comes off worse. We have, however, an ex-Slough player on the team, Koulikov so hopefully he has some inside information to help Phoenix beat them.
First Period
Phoenix started the game well and took control early on. With just two minutes gone Phoenix had a great chance from the blue line and Wallace found the metal work shortly afterwards. Slough had their chances too but Fone was looking good in net and managed to make some cracking saves including one with his toe. At 7:14 Duggan broke away and had a great chance as he became one on one with Rockman, but unfortunately the puck didn't find the back of the net. At 7:34, Phoenix's hard work finally paid off and whilst a delayed penalty had been called on Slough, Neil found the back of the net following a great pass by Hand. At 8:31 the first penalty of the game was called on Slough for delay of the game, Phoenix didn't manage to score whilst on the power play (no surprise there!) but Cingel had a few chances in front of the Slough net which I'm not entirely sure how Rockman saved them. At 10:45, Joe Greener was called for cross-checking and this time Phoenix didn't mess it up, Faith scoring a well worked goal with the help of Hand and of all people, Fone! Things started to get physical after this and following handbags at Fone's net, Long and Watt got penalties for slashing and roughing. This didn't seem to phase Phoenix and at 13:53 Hand broke away but his shot was tipped over the netting by the end of Rockman's stick. At 14:25, things started to go horribly wrong for Phoenix and due to a lack of defence, Pliskauskas found his way towards the Phoenix net and easily slotted the puck into the back of the net. Just under two minutes later, it happened again, this time Watt found the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
After an eventful first period, the game was tied at 2-2. Phoenix started well and had some great chances throughout the period. Phoenix seemed to be good offensively but the defence seemed to have fallen asleep and hence why Slough have managed to tie the game which was pretty much handed to them on a plate. After a shaky start Rockman was starting to look good in net but I think Phoenix deserved more goals...bring on the second period.
Goals - Phoenix 7:37 - Neil, Assist - Hand, Phoenix 10:45 - Faith, Assist - Hand, Fone, Slough 14:25 - Pliskauskas (unassisted), Slough 15:20 - Watt, Assist - Miles
Second Period
Unfortunately for Phoenix, the second period left off where the first finished. Slough were starting to dominate the game and at 26:02 the puck found it's way into the back of the net. Luckily for Phoenix, the goal was disallowed as the Slough player was adjudged to have kicked the puck into the net. At 27:00, Connolly was called for hooking but even that didn't help Phoenix and the defence continued to be lacking. At 30:53 Phoenix started to get their act together, Faith with some great puck work and shot on Rockman which just wouldn't get into the net.
Well a goalless period, Phoenix started shakily but got better towards the end of the period. The skill work was there but they just weren't able to finish and it was getting very frustrating. Fone and Rockman were doing a great job at both ends of the ice. So as the game is still tied at 2-2, all to play for in the third.
Third Period
The third period was full of controvesy. A hooking incident to Hand which was not called helped Slough to take the lead and Pliskauskas to get his second of the night. Despite this Phoenix continued to fight and at 45:43, Hand became one on one with Rockman (again), a cracking save by Rockman who was fully outstretched, denied Hand the chance to tie the game. Phoenix fans didn't have to wait long for us to tie up the game, at 45:14 a cracking pass from Cingel found Koulikov who slammed the puck home. With 4 minutes left in the game, Cingel had the chance to win the game for Phoenix but found the metal work (we are doing that a lot this season!) After this the referee seemed to have a bit of a meltdown, calling penalties that shouldn't have been called and missing ones right under his nose, some of which the Greener brothers were laughing about because they were getting away with it. One that he did manage to call was delay of the game on Watt for knocking the net off to stop play because the puck was loose too close to the net for his liking. Unfortunately for Phoenix, Faith was called for hooking which from where I was sitting wasn't even close. The third period ended 3-3 and into over time we went.
Goals - Slough 43:01 - Pliskauskas, Assist - Carlon, A.Greener, Phoenix 45:14 - Koulikov, Assist - Cingel (shorthanded)
Overtime
Due to the fact that the referee had put Faith in the penalty box for nothing more than a tap, Phoenix started overtime with only three players and it didn't take long for Slough to finish the game off with a goal from Davies
So at the end of the game Phoenix come away with one point and if we are going to lose it's better getting a point than nothing at all. Phoenix seemed to start the game really well and they were dominating Slough, but yet again we seemed to go downhill once we had the lead and then Slough made their move. Slough were their usual chippy selves and once Rockman had found the groove he was unstoppable, granted Fone was good in net too and kept us in the game a few times. The referee had a shocking third period which didn't help Phoenix and if it hadn't have been for the call to Faith we may have been able to take them in overtime, then again if Cingel hadn't missed that last shot it would have been game over. I'm not sure Watt deserved man of the match (neither did most of the Phoenix fans) especially with him knocking the net off but to be fair he was pretty much all over the ice and in most of the critical play.
Goal - Slough (didn't catch the time) - Davies, Assist - Calder, A.Greener
Final Score - Phoenix 3 - Slough 4
MOM - Phoenix - Duggan, Slough - Watt
First Period
Phoenix started the game well and took control early on. With just two minutes gone Phoenix had a great chance from the blue line and Wallace found the metal work shortly afterwards. Slough had their chances too but Fone was looking good in net and managed to make some cracking saves including one with his toe. At 7:14 Duggan broke away and had a great chance as he became one on one with Rockman, but unfortunately the puck didn't find the back of the net. At 7:34, Phoenix's hard work finally paid off and whilst a delayed penalty had been called on Slough, Neil found the back of the net following a great pass by Hand. At 8:31 the first penalty of the game was called on Slough for delay of the game, Phoenix didn't manage to score whilst on the power play (no surprise there!) but Cingel had a few chances in front of the Slough net which I'm not entirely sure how Rockman saved them. At 10:45, Joe Greener was called for cross-checking and this time Phoenix didn't mess it up, Faith scoring a well worked goal with the help of Hand and of all people, Fone! Things started to get physical after this and following handbags at Fone's net, Long and Watt got penalties for slashing and roughing. This didn't seem to phase Phoenix and at 13:53 Hand broke away but his shot was tipped over the netting by the end of Rockman's stick. At 14:25, things started to go horribly wrong for Phoenix and due to a lack of defence, Pliskauskas found his way towards the Phoenix net and easily slotted the puck into the back of the net. Just under two minutes later, it happened again, this time Watt found the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
After an eventful first period, the game was tied at 2-2. Phoenix started well and had some great chances throughout the period. Phoenix seemed to be good offensively but the defence seemed to have fallen asleep and hence why Slough have managed to tie the game which was pretty much handed to them on a plate. After a shaky start Rockman was starting to look good in net but I think Phoenix deserved more goals...bring on the second period.
Goals - Phoenix 7:37 - Neil, Assist - Hand, Phoenix 10:45 - Faith, Assist - Hand, Fone, Slough 14:25 - Pliskauskas (unassisted), Slough 15:20 - Watt, Assist - Miles
Second Period
Unfortunately for Phoenix, the second period left off where the first finished. Slough were starting to dominate the game and at 26:02 the puck found it's way into the back of the net. Luckily for Phoenix, the goal was disallowed as the Slough player was adjudged to have kicked the puck into the net. At 27:00, Connolly was called for hooking but even that didn't help Phoenix and the defence continued to be lacking. At 30:53 Phoenix started to get their act together, Faith with some great puck work and shot on Rockman which just wouldn't get into the net.
Well a goalless period, Phoenix started shakily but got better towards the end of the period. The skill work was there but they just weren't able to finish and it was getting very frustrating. Fone and Rockman were doing a great job at both ends of the ice. So as the game is still tied at 2-2, all to play for in the third.
Third Period
The third period was full of controvesy. A hooking incident to Hand which was not called helped Slough to take the lead and Pliskauskas to get his second of the night. Despite this Phoenix continued to fight and at 45:43, Hand became one on one with Rockman (again), a cracking save by Rockman who was fully outstretched, denied Hand the chance to tie the game. Phoenix fans didn't have to wait long for us to tie up the game, at 45:14 a cracking pass from Cingel found Koulikov who slammed the puck home. With 4 minutes left in the game, Cingel had the chance to win the game for Phoenix but found the metal work (we are doing that a lot this season!) After this the referee seemed to have a bit of a meltdown, calling penalties that shouldn't have been called and missing ones right under his nose, some of which the Greener brothers were laughing about because they were getting away with it. One that he did manage to call was delay of the game on Watt for knocking the net off to stop play because the puck was loose too close to the net for his liking. Unfortunately for Phoenix, Faith was called for hooking which from where I was sitting wasn't even close. The third period ended 3-3 and into over time we went.
Goals - Slough 43:01 - Pliskauskas, Assist - Carlon, A.Greener, Phoenix 45:14 - Koulikov, Assist - Cingel (shorthanded)
Overtime
Due to the fact that the referee had put Faith in the penalty box for nothing more than a tap, Phoenix started overtime with only three players and it didn't take long for Slough to finish the game off with a goal from Davies
So at the end of the game Phoenix come away with one point and if we are going to lose it's better getting a point than nothing at all. Phoenix seemed to start the game really well and they were dominating Slough, but yet again we seemed to go downhill once we had the lead and then Slough made their move. Slough were their usual chippy selves and once Rockman had found the groove he was unstoppable, granted Fone was good in net too and kept us in the game a few times. The referee had a shocking third period which didn't help Phoenix and if it hadn't have been for the call to Faith we may have been able to take them in overtime, then again if Cingel hadn't missed that last shot it would have been game over. I'm not sure Watt deserved man of the match (neither did most of the Phoenix fans) especially with him knocking the net off but to be fair he was pretty much all over the ice and in most of the critical play.
Goal - Slough (didn't catch the time) - Davies, Assist - Calder, A.Greener
Final Score - Phoenix 3 - Slough 4
MOM - Phoenix - Duggan, Slough - Watt
20 Oct 2011
New York Rangers & AIK
After my trip to Stockholm to watch NHL for the first time ever live I have finally decided that the New York Rangers are now my NHL team. I also chose a Stockhom team to follow and as the boy had already picked Djurgarden and I like a bit of rivalry, I was left with AIK. I have decided to blog as much as I can about my new favourite teams. This may prove difficult as I can't understand Swedish to find out what has happened in the AIK games and ESPN America no longer shows the NHL games, but I will try my best!
The New York Rangers have had a shaky start to the season. They lost both games in Stockholm but managed to go home with 2 points as both games went into overtime. When I watched them in Stockholm the team seemed to be missing the momentum and skill up front but Henry "The King" Lundqvist managed to keep them in both games with some unbelievable saves and helped the Rangers to scoop up a few points to start off their season.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers won their first game of the season 4-0 against the Vancouver Canucks. The highlights of the game are definitely worth a watch as the goals were well worked and King Henry got an unbelievable shut out, saving 40 attempts by the Canucks. The forwards looked good too and after two goalless periods all 4 goals came in the third. The goals were well worked, my favourite being the slam dunk by Gaborik to finish off the game.
In other news Mats Zuccarello has been sent to Connecticut Whale and Kris Newbury has been recalled. I liked Zuccarello but he hadn't had the greatest start to the season and something needed to be done. Artem Anisimov was being used more on the power plays which meant Zuccarello didn't get a lot of ice time and seemed to be phrased out. Newbury has been playing very well this season and it gives Zuccarello a chance to get more ice time and become one of the top forwards on the Whale team.
AIK have had a reasonable start to the season and are currently 8th in the Elitserien. Unfortunately they have lost 8 out of the 14 games played but AIK have started to make a come back . At the game I watched they beat Skelleftea 2-1 and last Thursday they managed a 4-0 win away to Vaxjo Lakers; Viktor Fasth with a well deserved shut out. Unfortunately the next couple of games were losses for AIK and on Tuesday Vaxjo got their revenge and beat AIK 4-3. Both teams came out fighting but following numerous penalties against AIK, some of which were a bit debatable, Vaxjo managed to squeeze the extra goal to clinch the game.
Link for highlights of the Rangers v Canucks game, for anyone that's interested!
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,76
The New York Rangers have had a shaky start to the season. They lost both games in Stockholm but managed to go home with 2 points as both games went into overtime. When I watched them in Stockholm the team seemed to be missing the momentum and skill up front but Henry "The King" Lundqvist managed to keep them in both games with some unbelievable saves and helped the Rangers to scoop up a few points to start off their season.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers won their first game of the season 4-0 against the Vancouver Canucks. The highlights of the game are definitely worth a watch as the goals were well worked and King Henry got an unbelievable shut out, saving 40 attempts by the Canucks. The forwards looked good too and after two goalless periods all 4 goals came in the third. The goals were well worked, my favourite being the slam dunk by Gaborik to finish off the game.
In other news Mats Zuccarello has been sent to Connecticut Whale and Kris Newbury has been recalled. I liked Zuccarello but he hadn't had the greatest start to the season and something needed to be done. Artem Anisimov was being used more on the power plays which meant Zuccarello didn't get a lot of ice time and seemed to be phrased out. Newbury has been playing very well this season and it gives Zuccarello a chance to get more ice time and become one of the top forwards on the Whale team.
AIK have had a reasonable start to the season and are currently 8th in the Elitserien. Unfortunately they have lost 8 out of the 14 games played but AIK have started to make a come back . At the game I watched they beat Skelleftea 2-1 and last Thursday they managed a 4-0 win away to Vaxjo Lakers; Viktor Fasth with a well deserved shut out. Unfortunately the next couple of games were losses for AIK and on Tuesday Vaxjo got their revenge and beat AIK 4-3. Both teams came out fighting but following numerous penalties against AIK, some of which were a bit debatable, Vaxjo managed to squeeze the extra goal to clinch the game.
Link for highlights of the Rangers v Canucks game, for anyone that's interested!
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,76
18 Oct 2011
Phoenix v Wildcats - Saturday 2nd October 2011
After what some might say was a thrashing by Milton Keynes on Saturday, losing 5-2 and dropping to second in the league, it was time for the second home game of the season and for us to claw 2 points back. Swindon have made some good signings over the Summer including Jarislav Cesky and Michal Pinc from Bracknell, who bring bags of experience to the side and create a pretty impressive top line. Hopefully they wouldn't get chance tonight!
First Period
Phoenix took control of the period early on and pretty much straight from the face off, Wallace had a great attempt following some impressive work from Koulikov and Duggan which much to fans disappointment, Murdy saved. Phoenix continued to to have some great attempts on goal including a shot by Boothroyd which was clipped over the net and out of play. At 12:38, Phoenix had the best chance of the game, Faith broke away and became one on one with the netminder, unfortunately his shot found the metal work and bounced off the crossbar. At 14:35 Swindon started to become alive and managed to break away, Boothroyd managed to take him out and got called for hooking. Phoenix were lucky because from where I was sitting this could have been a penalty shot moment for Swindon.
After an eventful period of hockey, the game was tied at 0-0. Phoenix had had plenty of chances and it seemed to be a re-run of last week, we just didn't seem to be able to finish. Murdy was keeping Swindon in the game and was standing on is head in net for them. All to play for in the second period.
Second Period
Both teams came out fighting in the second period but the Phoenix defence seemed to be unstoppable and when Swindon managed to break it Fone was saving everything some of which were that good chants of "Foney! Foney! echoed around the Ice Dome. At 22:57 a well worked Phoenix goal resulted in the tie being broken and Cingel got his name on the score card (again!) After the goal, Phoenix started to get in the groove, they quickened up their game and after me screaming "Shoot!" for most of the period, at 25:01 Spelda finally took my advice and a rocket from the blue line fired past Murdy into the top right hand corner. No stopping that one! At 25:53 Cingel was called for slashing and Swindon had the advantage of the power play. Unfortunately for them the Phoenix defence had been great all night and the power play was killed without them getting a look in. Swindon's penalty killing attempt was not as successful when at 27:32 Aldridge was called for hooking and Phoenix by way of Mr Cingel (yet again!) extended the lead with, what looked like a back handed tap of the puck into the back of the net. Towards the end of the period, the previously strong Phoenix defence started to look a bit shaky under pressure and Swindon finally managed a goal at 38:40 which was chipped into the top left hand corner by Richardson. With 30 seconds of the period remaining, Swindon had another great chance, there was a mad scramble in front of the net and I'm not entirely sure how the puck didn't end up in the back of the but Fone threw himself on the puck to finally get the whistle.
So after the second period, Phoenix lead 3-1, the defence had been great, apart from a few hiccups towards the end but Fone had been unbelievable in net and looked like he was getting into the groove again. Phoenix had upped the tempo and seemed to be playing a smarter game than Swindon. Swindon didn't appear to have had enough momentum to beat the defence, apart from the late goal they never appeared to get going. Phoenix had a tendency to go up early on and then only win by a small margin at the end of the game. Let's hope that doesn't happen tonight.
Goals - Phoenix 22:57 - Cingel, Assist - Faith, Harabin, Phoenix 25:01 - Spelda, Assist - Duggan, Neil, Phoenix 28:18 - Cingel, Assist - Koulikov, Swindon 38:40 - Richardson, Assist - Taylor, Bullas
Third Period
Unfortunately for Phoenix, the third period started were it left off and at 42:46 Swindon closed the gap courtesy of the ex-Bracknell players I mentioned before, Cesky and Pinc. Swindon continued to keep the pressure on and both teams created chance after chance, but neither team were able to finish them off, mainly because of the great game that both net minders were having. Both teams started to get more physical and a nasty hit to Boothroyd saw him hobble off the ice to the bench, luckily, it transpired that it was no more than a broken skate and he returned to the defence shortly afterwards. With 53 seconds left of the game, Swindon called a time out and pulled Murdy once the play had re-started. Phoenix managed to defend well and limited Swindon's time in the Phoenix zone. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Spelda sent the puck up the ice towards to empty net, missing by a fraction. Confusion breaks out as the buzzer sounds to end the game, but as the puck had been iced by Phoenix, 3 seconds were put back on the clock and the puck was dropped resulting in the second end to the game!
So at the end of the game, Phoenix managed to gain 2 points from the weekend. The performance of Phoenix is improving, albeit slowly. Fone seems to be getting back into the swing of things following the summer break and the imports are finally finding their places within the team. I am happy that Phoenix managed to dominate most of the game and the defence, whilst there were a few hiccups, started the game well and started to impress me, especially that rocket of a goal from Spelda! Swindon are an improved team from last season and I think that Murdy did a great job in net and made things difficult for Phoenix at times. Unfortunately they seem to rely on their top line a lot, which when they are good is a great advantage (like Phoenix last season) but if they are shut down they struggle leaving Murdy to do his best in defence.
My thoughts on the MK game...well I am not surprised we lost to them, they are a good side and they haven't changed the line up that much from last season, therefore most of them have played together before and understand each others style of hockey. Most teams in the EPL are still finding their feet (or skates!) and the players are still learning about each other. However I am hoping that it doesn't take too long for Phoenix to get to know each other...I want that EPL championship back!!
Goals - Swindon 42:46 - Cesky, Assist - Pinc, Richardson
Final Score - Phoenix 3 - Swindon 2
MOM - Phoenix - Fone, Swindon - Murdy
First Period
Phoenix took control of the period early on and pretty much straight from the face off, Wallace had a great attempt following some impressive work from Koulikov and Duggan which much to fans disappointment, Murdy saved. Phoenix continued to to have some great attempts on goal including a shot by Boothroyd which was clipped over the net and out of play. At 12:38, Phoenix had the best chance of the game, Faith broke away and became one on one with the netminder, unfortunately his shot found the metal work and bounced off the crossbar. At 14:35 Swindon started to become alive and managed to break away, Boothroyd managed to take him out and got called for hooking. Phoenix were lucky because from where I was sitting this could have been a penalty shot moment for Swindon.
After an eventful period of hockey, the game was tied at 0-0. Phoenix had had plenty of chances and it seemed to be a re-run of last week, we just didn't seem to be able to finish. Murdy was keeping Swindon in the game and was standing on is head in net for them. All to play for in the second period.
Second Period
Both teams came out fighting in the second period but the Phoenix defence seemed to be unstoppable and when Swindon managed to break it Fone was saving everything some of which were that good chants of "Foney! Foney! echoed around the Ice Dome. At 22:57 a well worked Phoenix goal resulted in the tie being broken and Cingel got his name on the score card (again!) After the goal, Phoenix started to get in the groove, they quickened up their game and after me screaming "Shoot!" for most of the period, at 25:01 Spelda finally took my advice and a rocket from the blue line fired past Murdy into the top right hand corner. No stopping that one! At 25:53 Cingel was called for slashing and Swindon had the advantage of the power play. Unfortunately for them the Phoenix defence had been great all night and the power play was killed without them getting a look in. Swindon's penalty killing attempt was not as successful when at 27:32 Aldridge was called for hooking and Phoenix by way of Mr Cingel (yet again!) extended the lead with, what looked like a back handed tap of the puck into the back of the net. Towards the end of the period, the previously strong Phoenix defence started to look a bit shaky under pressure and Swindon finally managed a goal at 38:40 which was chipped into the top left hand corner by Richardson. With 30 seconds of the period remaining, Swindon had another great chance, there was a mad scramble in front of the net and I'm not entirely sure how the puck didn't end up in the back of the but Fone threw himself on the puck to finally get the whistle.
So after the second period, Phoenix lead 3-1, the defence had been great, apart from a few hiccups towards the end but Fone had been unbelievable in net and looked like he was getting into the groove again. Phoenix had upped the tempo and seemed to be playing a smarter game than Swindon. Swindon didn't appear to have had enough momentum to beat the defence, apart from the late goal they never appeared to get going. Phoenix had a tendency to go up early on and then only win by a small margin at the end of the game. Let's hope that doesn't happen tonight.
Goals - Phoenix 22:57 - Cingel, Assist - Faith, Harabin, Phoenix 25:01 - Spelda, Assist - Duggan, Neil, Phoenix 28:18 - Cingel, Assist - Koulikov, Swindon 38:40 - Richardson, Assist - Taylor, Bullas
Third Period
Unfortunately for Phoenix, the third period started were it left off and at 42:46 Swindon closed the gap courtesy of the ex-Bracknell players I mentioned before, Cesky and Pinc. Swindon continued to keep the pressure on and both teams created chance after chance, but neither team were able to finish them off, mainly because of the great game that both net minders were having. Both teams started to get more physical and a nasty hit to Boothroyd saw him hobble off the ice to the bench, luckily, it transpired that it was no more than a broken skate and he returned to the defence shortly afterwards. With 53 seconds left of the game, Swindon called a time out and pulled Murdy once the play had re-started. Phoenix managed to defend well and limited Swindon's time in the Phoenix zone. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Spelda sent the puck up the ice towards to empty net, missing by a fraction. Confusion breaks out as the buzzer sounds to end the game, but as the puck had been iced by Phoenix, 3 seconds were put back on the clock and the puck was dropped resulting in the second end to the game!
So at the end of the game, Phoenix managed to gain 2 points from the weekend. The performance of Phoenix is improving, albeit slowly. Fone seems to be getting back into the swing of things following the summer break and the imports are finally finding their places within the team. I am happy that Phoenix managed to dominate most of the game and the defence, whilst there were a few hiccups, started the game well and started to impress me, especially that rocket of a goal from Spelda! Swindon are an improved team from last season and I think that Murdy did a great job in net and made things difficult for Phoenix at times. Unfortunately they seem to rely on their top line a lot, which when they are good is a great advantage (like Phoenix last season) but if they are shut down they struggle leaving Murdy to do his best in defence.
My thoughts on the MK game...well I am not surprised we lost to them, they are a good side and they haven't changed the line up that much from last season, therefore most of them have played together before and understand each others style of hockey. Most teams in the EPL are still finding their feet (or skates!) and the players are still learning about each other. However I am hoping that it doesn't take too long for Phoenix to get to know each other...I want that EPL championship back!!
Goals - Swindon 42:46 - Cesky, Assist - Pinc, Richardson
Final Score - Phoenix 3 - Swindon 2
MOM - Phoenix - Fone, Swindon - Murdy
RUMOR ALERT!!
Rumor news just in...Juraj Faith has been approached by French Division team, HC Mulhouse to play for them. Faith has previously played for HC Mulhouse with four consecutive seasons from 1999-2000.
This has only been reported on the Elite Prospects website and I have been unable to find out anymore information online. If this is true, it would be a great loss for Phoenix and I am unsure as to whether we would be able to find a replacement so close to the beginning of the season. We have had a shaky start to the season as have most of the teams in the EPL but the Phoenix top line seems to be getting better and the loss of Faith would jeopardise this and we would be back to square one again.
Fingers crossed that this is just a rumor and Faith will be staying with us for the rest of the season. I will update everyone as soon as I know more.
P.S. I apologise for the lack of match reports and blogs recently. I am on a mad mission tonight to finish them all! They will be coming soon...promise!
This has only been reported on the Elite Prospects website and I have been unable to find out anymore information online. If this is true, it would be a great loss for Phoenix and I am unsure as to whether we would be able to find a replacement so close to the beginning of the season. We have had a shaky start to the season as have most of the teams in the EPL but the Phoenix top line seems to be getting better and the loss of Faith would jeopardise this and we would be back to square one again.
Fingers crossed that this is just a rumor and Faith will be staying with us for the rest of the season. I will update everyone as soon as I know more.
P.S. I apologise for the lack of match reports and blogs recently. I am on a mad mission tonight to finish them all! They will be coming soon...promise!
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