After the Phoenix win against the Phantoms
they had two away games to follow. The first, away to Telford in their
re-furbished rink which The Angry Budgie attended. That was a disappointing
loss and one that showed the effect of losing Tony Hand to Team GB. The
second away game was to re-visit the scene of the Phoenix earlier 8-2 demolition
at MK. Thankfully this visit would be more fruitful for the Phoenix, winning as they did, 4-1. The Wildcats were the visitors to the Ice Dome last sunday
and, so far, the Phoenix were enjoying some good form against the Wildcats.
Hopefully that would continue!
First Period: With Tony Hand back in
the line-up the Phoenix came out firing and set about the Wildcats from
the first puck drop. Again the Phoenix would get an early goal and they
would dominate the opening session. The first goal came after just 1min
47sec when Pozivil got his goal. Shortly after Michael Psurny doubled the
Phoenix lead at 3min 50 and Ciaran Long would cap an explosive first period
with the Phoenix third goal at 11min 10sec. Even the most ardent Wildcats
fan, after watching that first period, would say the game was done and
dusted.
Second Period: That assumption, especially
this season in the EPL, is a dangerous one. The Wildcats, after what must
have been a harsh intermission, found their legs and began to work their
way back into the game. Tom Duggan would extend the Phoenix lead to 4 goals
to 0 at 23min 36sec with a lovely shot through the 5 hole. I don't know
if it was the Phoenix easing off, but the Wildcats came roaring back and
completely owned the last 10 minutes of the period. Kapicka got their first
at 31min 58sec, then Jones on the powerplay at 37min 20sec and Kapicka
got his second at 38min 25sec when he pounced on a Boothroyd mistake to
bring the Cats to within one.
Third Period: With the way the game
had gone in the back end of the second period it would be no surprise that
the Wildcats tied the game in the final session. The Phoenix were still
creating chances but the uncertainty in the Wildcats D from the first period
had well and truly gone. The Wildcats got their deserved game leveler
at 52min 07sec when Kapicka got his hattrick goal. The Phoenix discipline
in the third period was poor, mistakes were creeping their way in and were
capped by the Phoenix taking a too-many-men penalty with 10sec to go. Thus
handing Swindon the advantage going into overtime.
Overtime: Thankfully the Wildcats could
not take advantage and as soon as the Phoenix were back up to full strength
they camped out in the Swindon zone. Working the puck round it found Boothroyd
free on the far point in so much space, he had time to steady the puck
and fire in the game winner, timed at 62min 23sec.
Verdict: On the whole the Phoenix dominated
the first, but a lack of concentration and a resurgent Wildcats made the
second and third tough to watch. Especially as the game should have been
over after the first. Great to get the win and keep pace with the Bison
but, worrying to see Fone laboring towards the end and Pozivil who didn't
ice for the third period. A week off will hopefully do wonders!
Attendance: Another good crowd in the
Dome, the sequence of home wins doing well to bring people back. I'll say
1,150 in.
Phoenix 5 Swindon 4 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 5 Swindon 4 - Wildcats Article
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