The last time Sheffield made an appearance at the Ice Dome, they managed their first ever win against Phoenix. I was however going into this game quietly confident, after the win against MK on Sunday we seemed to be playing better together (it had taken a lot longer than I had liked though!) Granted Sheffield get under the skin by playing physical, not even close to the rules but they normally manage an early goal or two. Phoenix were still without Hand (ankle) but Wallace made his return after breaking his wrist and Ward had finished his international spell so was back icing too. Unfortunately Duggan was missing following his early retirement from the MK game following an injury to his shoulder.
First Period
The game didn't start at all well for Phoenix, firstly Wardell was referee and secondly just 2:08 minutes in, Calvert got Sheffield off the mark with his shot finding the back of the net. At 4:55 the mass of penalties started to be called (no surprise there) and Haywood was called for tripping. Unfortunately Phoenix weren't able to take advantage and the powerplay slipped by. At 11:50, Payette and Harabin both got penalties, Payette for holding the stick and Harabin for hooking. Payette has been after Harabin most of the season so no surprise that these two keep on clashing. At 11:19, things went from bad to worse for Phoenix when Bebris managed to slot the puck past Fone. Shortly after this, Morgan blocked Archer's shot and went down, Sheffield did a lot of complaining about the situation, as per usual and Wardell listened! Archer got 2 minutes for high sticking and the puck was taken into the Phoenix zone! God knows what that was all about! At 12:38, Sheffield went on a 5 on 3 powerplay when Faith got called for hooking, luckily for Phoenix they managed to kill the powerplay and Sheffield were unable to extend their lead. At 13:16, Sheffield started complaining again but this time it didn't pay off and Wardell put Gomeniuk in the box for a lovely 10 minute misconduct penalty, together with Greg Wood for tripping. Unfortunately Phoenix couldn't break the Sheffield defence and the period ended without Phoenix getting on the board.
Sheffield were up 2-0 at the end of the first (much to my disgust!) Phoenix were unable to beat the Sheffield defence and we were looking off the pace. However in my experience it always takes us a while to find our form when we play Sheffield due to their "physical" play so I was expecting a better second period.
Goals - Sheffield 2:08 - Calvert, Assists - Bell, Wood, Sheffield 11:19 - Bebris, Assists - Morgan, Gomeniuk
Second Period
Phoenix came out fighting in the second (thank God!) At 26:54 Hirst was called for slashing which put Phoenix on the powerplay and this time they took advantage of the extra man. Cingel slotted one into the back of Bown's net, commencing the come back for Phoenix. At 25:05, Wallace and Long somehow managed to get penalties (Wardell playing his own rules again!) Due to this Sheffield managed another goal at 26:55 courtesy of Brittle on the 5 on 3 powerplay. Even then, it came from Morgan misfiring from the blue line and landing on the stick of Brittle at the edge of the crease with Fone wrongfooted. All was not lost though and at 31:10 Koulikov fired one home which Bowns couldn't stop. Sheffield didn't take this lying down and they managed yet another goal at 36:18 which I thought Fone had but unfortunately the red light came on (God damn it!) At 37:38 yet another goal was scored this time Phoenix broke away and Long hit the back of the net. Just under a minute later, Wallace took a shot that fooled Bowns and finally Phoenix were level.
Phoenix worked really hard to get level in this period which given their normal second period performances I was really impressed with. Sheffield's defence was finally breaking but unfortunately Phoenix hadn't managed to defend quite as well as I'd have liked and would expect Fone to be wanting a few of those goals back. I was hoping that we could manage a few more goals in the third and send the Steeldogs home with their tails between their legs!
Goals - Phoenix 23:29 - Cingel, Assists - Harabin, Faith (powerplay), Sheffield 26:55 - Brittle, Assists - Morgan, Gomeniuk, Phoenix 31:10 - Koulikov, Assists - Faith, Cingel, Sheffield 36:18 - Brittle, Assists - Ozolins, Gomeniuk, Phoenix - Long 37:38, Assists - Koulikov, Cingel, Phoenix 38:43 - Wallace, Assist - Long
Third Period
The third period saw Sheffield getting frustrated (no change there then!) and Wardell still had his rose tinted glasses on. There were numerous opportunities for him to call something but it seems that Sheffield couldn't do anything wrong. The first one came when Gomeniuk sent Harabin flying for no apparent reason, I don't even think he had the puck, and you guessed it, nothing was called. The second involved Harabin again, he broke away and a Sheffield player pulled his shirt causing him to fall to the ice, yet again nothing called. At 52:55 he finally called something. Gomeniuk got a match penalty for boarding Ward whilst he was on his knees by the boards, a very dirty and disgusting play which he deserved to be sent off for, his attitude had stunk all night! Following this Sheffield called a time out and Wardell made another fabulous call after the face off, Payette punched Long and then fell over him whilst trying to check him, apparently this was a tripping call to Long!! Luckily Phoenix killed the powerplay and the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime.
Overtime
So after regulation the game was tied at 4-4 and into overtime we went. The 5 minutes was pretty uneventful apart from two penalties against Phoenix, one for Faith for hooking and a bench minor for too many imports on the ice. Both teams were unable to score the final goal so off we went into penalties (not good for my nerves!)
Penalty Shots
Phoenix started off the shoot out and Koulikov did us proud 1-0 Phoenix. Sykes took the stage for Sheffield and missed. Faith (who wouldn't have been my choice, but then again I'm not sure who else I'd choose) blasted one home making in 2-0 Phoenix. Then the ex-Phoenix/mini Payette Greg Wood managed to slip one past Fone to make it 2-1. Wallace stepped up to take the final shot for Phoenix, unfortunately his shot went wide and it was all down to Fone to win the game (no pressure!) Bebris took the spot for Sheffield but sent his shot wide, meaning Phoenix win the game 5-4
So after an eventful game of hockey and a great advertisement for the sport, Phoenix won 5-4 which I think was thoroughly deserved. I think that both teams played well but the way some of the Sheffield players act on the ice makes my skin crawl. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you don't have to be thugs to be hockey players. Unfortunately this seems to be Payette's mentality. I find it disappointing that the main culprits are always our ex-players, who when they played for us, I liked, plus they are all decent and talented players that have been moulded into mini Payettes which is such a shame. I was quietly confident when the game went into overtime and penalties as the mighty Ben Bowns was looking a little shaky towards the end of the third. I personally think that overtime was a fair result for both teams but Phoenix deserved the win. I just hope that this win helps build the players confidence and the so called "fans" can start eating their words. Still want to swap Faith for a Metro now?!...Didn't think so!
Final Score - Phoenix 5 - Sheffield 4
MOM - Phoenix - Koulikov, Sheffield - Brittle
No comments:
Post a Comment