The Angry Budgie Live

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Phoenix v Basingstoke 15th February Game Review

The second part of the Phoenix’ cup double header saw the Phoenix entertain the Bison at the Ice Dome Sunday night. A 15min delay caused by large que’s outside the Dome and one of the better away fan crowds made sure that this game was going to have a cracking atmosphere. A potentially tricky game, as with Hull Saturday night, games against the Bison have always be close affairs. However the Phoenix had the best start available to them, a 5-2 lead from the first leg. The prize to the winner would be their first ever final appearance against the Giants.

First Period: A tight opening period saw many chances, but some fine goal tending kept the game scoreless. That was until 5min 49sec when Mulherin was found on his own in the high slot and unleashed and absolute stonker of a shot that almost tore the net off its markings. This got the big crowd on its feet and singing! No more goals for the period but the Phoenix began to rain in the shots, if it was not for the superb Reiter the Phoenix could have been 4 or 5 up!

Second Period: The tie was more or less all said and done in the second period; with more and more Phoenix pressure it was only a matter of time before they increased their lead. It was down to the leagues leading scorer David Beauregard to get his first and second goals of the game at 30min 10sec and 37min 27sec respectively.

Third Period: As the result was a foregone conclusion the game by this point it opened up to produce some great end to end action. Sadly Murphy was denied his shutout when at 47min 25sec LeClair netted the Bisons only goal of the game. From memory it was this point when, for the second time in two nights both teams gave their back up netties some ice time. No consideration was taken and soon after Graeme Bird took to the Bison net Mulherin netted at 51min 06sec. David Beauregard increased his goal tally on 51min 31sec when he broke down the left wing, drove to the net and slid the puck under Bird’s legs. The scoring was completed at 54min 33sec when Bruce got his just rewards for a fine performance.

Verdict: The second tricky game of the weekend negotiated successfully and the Phoenix advancing to their first ever final. A great crowd in the Dome too, many first timers due to a recent local radio push. What a game to come to as well! This is what we need to do, lots of local promotions tied to a great game, I bet many of those first timers will come again after this game! A big shout must go to the travelling Bison fans, realistically they must not have expected to go through, but none the less made lots of noise and contributed to the great atmosphere!

Attendance: Including the great travelling support, one of the best crowds in the Dome this season. I would guess around 1,700 in Sunday night.

Phoenix TV Highlights:


MEN Article for the game.

p.s. Those of you who read the Powerplay magazine may also have read Dave Simms regular piece at the end. There is a comment contained within that piece that has annoyed me somewhat! So much so Im preparing my own little reply that should appear tomorrow!

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