This was a massive weekend of hockey for Phoenix as we hosted Guildford at home on Saturday and make a trip to their barn on the Sunday. If Phoenix could manage 4 points from this weekend it definitely puts us back in contention for the championship. However I don't think we will beat Guildford in back to back games as they are a very good team, hence the reason why they are top of the league and I personally think the league title is theirs to lose at the moment. I would take 2 points from the weekend and I'm really hoping it's tonight at home in front of the fans. Guildford are missing Huppe from their line up which I think helps us a bit and we are still without Hand but the lads are confident and I know they can do this, granted my nerves are shot entering the rink nevermind watching the game!
First Period
Phoenix started the game well and their confidence was showing, the passing was slick and helped create plenty of chances including two near misses, one from Wallace and the other from Cingel, both of which were just wide of the net. Shortly after this, Duggan went on a mission, he took the puck from the Phoenix zone all the way down to the Guildford net, deked all the d-men and managed a back handed shot which Lee covered to stop play. The Phoenix fans didn't have to wait long for the nerves to be settled (well just a little bit!). At 9:59 the unlikely candidate of Ben Wood fired a shot at Lee which found the back of the net for Phoenix to take the lead. Guildford weren't without their chances though and at 11:00 minutes, Guildford had a shot on goal which Fone saved, but the rebound wasn't cleared and the Phoenix net was unguarded, the follow up shot was so off target it went straight out of play (probably a good candidate for miss of the season!) Phoenix were lucky for Guildford not to draw level. At 12:59 the first penalty of the game was called and Plant took a seat for hooking, unfortunately Guildford killed the powerplay and Phoenix were unable to extend their lead. At 16:19 a further penalty was called against Guildford, this time Towe went to the box for hooking, Phoenix didn't need asking twice and at 16:59, Harabin fired a rocket from the blue line which Lee didn't have a chance at stopping and Phoenix extended their lead, much to the Phoenix fans delight.
So at the end of the first, Phoenix were leading 2-0 and had made a great start. Fone was looking good in net and had managed to keep Guildford at bay (for the time being anyway). The defence was a little shaky but the offence was fabulous the passes were hitting the man every time right on the stick, which has quickened up our pace. We seem to know where every player is on the ice and everyone is where they are suppose to be. The skill and speed seems to be running rings around the Guildford defence. Guildford obviously weren't without their chances and were keeping the pressure on. Hopefully this won't phase Phoenix too much and we keep up the good work in the second
Goals - Phoenix 9:49 - Wood (unassisted), Phoenix 16:59 - Harabin, Assists - Spelda (powerplay)
Second Period
The second period started pretty much where the last one left off, Phoenix were creating chances and Guildford had the odd breakaway. At 27:16, Archer was called for interference and Guildford tried to take advantage of the powerplay. Unfortunately for Guildford, Fone was on fire and saved everything that came his way, including a great diving save in order to block the puck with his chest and Phoenix killed the powerplay. At 29:25, Spelda was called for delay of game because apparently he covered the puck near the Phoenix net and Guildford got another chance on the powerplay but were still unable to break the Phoenix defence. Phoenix were given their chances on the powerplay when Kveten was called for interference at 30:17 but somehow I think that this period was more about defending the early lead rather than attacking the net and the powerplay slipped away. With just under 2 minutes left in the period, Dixon and Harabin received simultaneous penalties, Dixon for interference and Harabin for hooking resulting in the period ending 4 on 4.
So a goalless second period and Phoenix concentrated on defending rather than storming the crease. Granted Guildford weren't without their chances but the Phoenix defence was standing strong. Phoenix were brilliant on the powerplay kill and Fone made some spectacular saves which pretty much kept us in it. I always think that if the netminder is confident and having a good game, then it reflects on the rest of the team, it relaxes them and things just start to flow. This was happening with Phoenix tonight and I'm loving our performance! On to the third! YOU CAN DO IT!!
Third Period
Phoenix continued to dominate in the third and with just 25 seconds in, following some fabulous passing from Koulikov, the puck found Faith who tapped the puck home for Phoenix to take a 3-0 lead. Get in! At 48:51 Phoenix picked up a bench minor penalty for too many men and Guildford had yet another chance on the powerplay. Unfortunately for them, Fone continued to stand strong in net and they were still unable to get off the mark. At 50:43, Rempel was called for hooking and it was Phoenix's turn on the powerplay. At 51:03 Koulikov, with the help of Cingel fired one home to extend the lead to 4-0 and it looked like it was all over. Unfortunately, with just under 4 minutes to go, Savage fired a rocket from the blue line into the top left hand corner to deny Fone his shut out...Boooooooooooo!!!! It was a consolation prize for Guildford as the buzzer sounded to end the game and concluded Phoenix's 9th win in a row!
At the end of the game, Phoenix win 4-1 and pulled off their best performance of the season. Everything seemed to work and it was great to see. The confidence of the 9 back to back wins showed throughout the game and the guys were more relaxed, which meant the passing was slick, the shots were on target and the defence were ready and waiting for any break away attempts from the opposition. A special mention has to go to Fone who played a blinder in net. It's a shame he didn't get his shut out which was throughly deserved but only letting one past against Guildford is a great achievement in itself. Hopefully the lads can take a lot away from this game to have a decent away game tomorrow. However if our streak of game wins is broken by a loss to Guildford I wouldn't be too disappointed, I have a lot of respect for Guildford because they actually want to play hockey and there are no cheap digs. I would much prefer to lose to Guildford than to a team like the Steeldogs who don't play hockey and bully the opposition. Our streak can not go on forever and I would obviously love it if we would manage a 4 point weekend by beating Guildford tomorrow! Fingers crossed!
Goals - Phoenix 40:25 - Faith, Assist - Koulikov, Phoenix 51:03 - Koulikov, Assist - Cingel, Guildford 56:08 - Savage, Assist - Potts
Final Score - Phoenix 4 - Guildford 1
MOM - Phoenix - Fone, Guildford - Campbell
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