Phoenix v Wildcats - Sunday 5th February 2012

After a 3-1 win over MK on Saturday night, Phoenix were looking for a 4 point weekend to try and make a dent in Guildford's lead at the top of the table. Swindon made their way up the M6 for hockey night at the Ice Dome. Swindon haven't had the greatest start to the season but have managed a few surprise wins including one against Guildford where they managed a 6-4 win! They have been struggling in the past few weeks though and have lost their last 5 games which probably stands Phoenix in good stead for a win tonight. Hopefully Phoenix can continue their good form and grab a win from tonight's game.

First Period 

Phoenix started the period well and created some good opportunites, however the first clear chance came from Swindon, Fone made a good pad save and off Phoenix went into the Swindon zone. Phoenix took a shot which bounced up high from Skinns' save who managed to catch the puck mid air. Just over two minutes later Phoenix got another chance to take the lead, Wallace made a great turn and pass to Duggan who managed to get the puck to Archer whose shot was right at Skinns who held on for the whistle. The chances just kept coming for Phoenix including a shot from Koulikov which was just wide of the net. Swindon also managed a few attempts on goal including one which hit the back of the net, unfortunately for them they were offside and the goal was washed out. To be honest it would have been a cracking goal if it had of counted but luckily for Phoenix it didn't which left them free to storm the crease again, this time Spelda and Duggan had at least three attempts on goal but were still unable to hit the back of the net (not this again!) At 16:51, Swindon took the lead following a lack of Phoenix defence which left Richardson one on one with Fone who tried his best to stop the puck from hitting the back of the net but it wasn't to be. With just over one minute left in the period, Archer had a shot on goal and the puck hit Skinns straight in the face. Skinns went down hard and the play was stopped. Luckily he managed to get up and back in the game and the play resumed. At 19:01 the first penalty of the game was called and Hoog was called for slashing. Shortly thereafter another penalty was called, this time Swindlehurst took a seat for tripping and Phoenix would start the second period on a 5 on 3 powerplay. 

After the first period Swindon were leading 1-0 but this didn't really reflect the hockey played that period. Phoenix definitely created more chances and the puck spent most of the period in the Swindon zone but nothing seemed to be going in the back of the net. At the other end however Phoenix were giving away too many one on one and easy chances which Swindon were taking advantage of. Phoenix were lucky not to be another goal down, it seems like we are trying too hard and hence why things don't seem to be be working as well as in previous games. Hopefully Phoenix can take advantage of the 5 on 3 powerplay and level the game with a quick goal at the beginning of the second period. Here's hoping! 

Goals - Swindon 16:51 - Richardson, Assists - Baird, Pinc

Second Period

Phoenix definitely came out fighting in the second and with just 32 seconds gone, Harabin fired a rocket from the blue line which slammed into the back of the net for Phoenix to finally get off the mark. Phoenix kept on digging whilst on the powerplay and as it finished, Phoenix managed to keep the puck in the Swindon zone. Wallace held the puck behind the Swindon goal and made a great pass to Archer who was stood at the post and tapped the puck home for Phoenix to take the lead. At 28:44, Duggan broke away on his own and managed to get a shot off, which Skinns saved, the rebound fell to the skates of Wallace who unfortunately fanned his shot and missed the chance to extend the lead. At 29:32 Swindon started to get frustrated and a few handbags broke out between Spelda and Morgan after the puck had found it's way on to the netting at the back of the net. Nothing came of it and the game continued much to Swindon's disappointment because just under a minute later, Archer launched a shot from the hash marks and right into the back of the net to take the Phoenix lead to 3-1. At 31:27, Archer completed his natural hat trick with the help of Duggan and Wallace much to the Phoenix fans delight. With just over 8 minutes left Swindon called a time out to try and collect themselves which seemed to work and at 32:22 Swindon managed a goal, Fone saved the initial shot but the rebound fell to the stick of Nell who knocked the puck in. Shortly after this, Harabin was called for interference and Swindon got the chance on the powerplay, unfortunately for the Cats it was to no avail and the powerplay slipped away. Phoenix continued to create plenty of chances and with just over 3 minutes remaining Koulikov managed a cracking shot but the puck ricocheted off the iron work. However the Phoenix fans didn't have long to wait for another goal and at 39:15, Archer broke away and made a great pass to Duggan, who did his work and set it up for Long to fire the puck into the back of the net to make it 5-2. 

After an eventful second period, Phoenix had finally managed to find the back of the net. We seemed to be a lot more relaxed this period and things seemed to be flowing. Not as well as against Guildford the other week but at least we are hitting the back of the net. Obviously Archer had helped tremendously with the scoring card and after a couple of games where I was thinking the poor lad is never going to score a goal he has definitely made up for it tonight which his natural hat trick. He has been in the right place at the right time and managed to finish every time he has been close to the goal. Duggan and Koulikov have been creating the play and have been working hard to get the puck in front of the net, as you can tell from the amount of points they have racked up tonight. Fingers crossed we don't slack off too much in the last period.  

Goals - Phoenix 20:32 - Harabin, Assists - Koulikov (powerplay), Phoenix 21:44 - Archer, Assists - Wallace, Duggan, Phoenix 30:24 - Archer, Assists - Koulikov, Phoenix 31:27 - Archer, Assists - Duggan, Wallace, Swindon 32:22 - Nell, Assists - Bullas, Whitfield, Phoenix 39:15 - Long, Assists - Koulikov, Duggan

Third Period

Phoenix took it easy at the beginning of the third period. With just under two minutes gone, Cingel and Baird had a tangle in the Swindon zone and Baird ended up sliding heavily into the boards, the play was stopped and he was helped off the ice. Luckily he was ok and returned to the game after some treatment at the bench. At 42:49, Swindlehurst fired a slap shot from the blue line which Fone had no chance of stopping and reduced the Phoenix lead to two goals. Following the Swindon goal, Phoenix stepped up the offence again and created yet more chances, including a shot from Archer which found the metal work. At 45:30 a bench minor penalty was called against Swindon for an icing infringement and Phoenix got a chance on the powerplay. Shortly thereafter, Harabin was pulled down by Baird behind the Swindon net but nothing was called. To be honest the referee had missed quite a few calls this period for both teams. At 55:56, Pinc was called for holding and Phoenix made the most of the powerplay, Wallace managed to pick up the puck following a rebound, he spun and slotted the puck past Skinns legs into the back of the net. With just over two minutes left, Phoenix made a net minder change, Fone came out and El Hage came in to a standing ovation and a round of applause from the Phoenix fans. Luckily El Hage managed to keep Swindon at bay for the last two minutes and the buzzer sounded to end the game.

So after three periods of hockey, Phoenix got the two points from the game and rounded off a 4 point weekend. Phoenix definitely deserved the win and created a lot more chances than Swindon. Once we got going the goals kept on coming, our pace was quick and we seemed relaxed. We kept the puck in the Swindon zone for most of the game and the Swindon defence seemed to stand around waiting for us to shoot which we aren't normally very good at but managed it tonight. It was great to see Archer finally hitting the mark who seemed to be on fire throughout the game and definitely deserved man of the match. I was so pleased to see El Hage finally get some ice time, granted it was only for 2 minutes but hopefully he will gain some confidence and get a few more opportunities to show us what he can go in net. After all if Fone gets injured (hopefully he won't) El Hage will have to step up to the mark and take his place.

Goals - Swindon 42:49 - Swindlehurst, Assist - Bullas, Phoenix 56:23 - Wallace, Assists - Duggan, Archer (powerplay) 

Final Score - Phoenix 6 - Wildcats 3

MOM - Phoenix - Archer - Wildcats - Hoog