Phoenix Champions Review - The Goalies

So lets get going with a few end of season posts! The next few will concern the players of the 2010/11 EPL Champion Manchester Phoenix team and i'll go through the team over three posts and offer a few thoughts on each one and give an 'out of 10' Budgie rating! I had intended to do a 'Thoughts on the season' type post first, but couldn't really get going on that, so I'll do the player reviews first as it may help build a picture of the season just gone.

First up, its the goaltending duo at the Phoenix, Stephen Fone and Adam Summerfield.

Number 31 - Stephen Fone
EPL Season: Played - 52, GAA - 2.75, Save % - 90.55
If you go take a look at the Iceman-Epl Goalie (http://www.iceman-epl.com/netminders.html) page you will see that Steve Fone is ranked number 6 in the EPL table in terms of netminders. I know stats don't lie, but I feel that is an artificial placing for BT. The other stat I would like to bring up, over the course of the 54 game regular season the Phoenix conceded the fewest goals in the league. A big part of that is BT's improved performance this past year. Season 09/10 Foney's confidence would take a hit easily if things were not going well, his rebounds were terrible, and a large part of his season was affected by the shoulder injury sustained over the christmas period. Fast forward to 10/11 and Foney put in a much more consistent display. More athletic, more awareness and better rebounds. Crucially, he also had an injury free season. He would sometimes still frustrate with his play behind the net, but at times he could single handedly win a game. I remember the playoff games, he was seeing the puck so big he was pulling off some amazing saves! The Rotherham native really established himself as a great number one goalie in the EPL! I think there are better (slightly) goalies in the EPL but, given the Phoenix will never have the biggest budget in the league, BT is the best guy for our roster. I would be more than happy to see him back between the pipes for the 11/12 title defending season.

Budgie Rating: A solid 8/10 for BT!

Number 30 - Adam Summerfield
EPL Season: Played - 52, GAA - 2.78, Save % - 89.40
Being a backup netminder is, possibly, the hardest job in UK ice hockey bar a few exceptions. You'll spend most of your time warming the bench hoping for ice time, and then trying not to stuff things up when you get it! I remember last season saying, Adam had a great year but looked a little nervous on the ice at EPL level, and would often make the initial save and have no idea where the puck is! This season has seen a big improvement from Adam, he has played much more this year and was given a few more starts too. His movement around the net is better, he is seeing the puck well and, either he has new pads or he has bulked up, but he fills the net better too! There was still the odd moment where he seemed unsure as to where a puck was after he made a save, but he was making more, and more difficult saves. He genuinely faces a difficult summer in terms of his future career. If things stay as they are, he will not get the starting spot at the Phoenix will Fone is still at the club. Adam is now at the point where he will want to get his own starting spot, I don't know if that would be at EPL level just yet though! So he has a few options:

1. Stay as back up to Foney at the Phoenix.
2. Move to another EPL club as backup, but with a little more icetime.
3. Become a number 1 nettie at an ENL club.

Difficult times ahead! I don't see another EPL club giving him a starter position just yet, his best bet for increased ice time would be a club who share ice time pretty evenly between their goalie duo. Two clubs spring to mind, MK and Telford. Adam could do well in those situations, but alot will depend on how those clubs proceed. MK, depends on Hollyhead, if he and Mettham stay. Also Telford, if they keep Ryan/Clarkson he wont go their either! As you can see, tough choices ahead for the Congleton native!

Budgie Rating - A good 6/10 for Summers.

So next up will be reviews of the meanest defence in the EPL!

The Phoenix 09/11 Review - The Goalies

So sorry for the lack of updates on these pages recently, working for an airline, and the recent volcanic activity has lent itself to some interesting work hours! Im defiantly not cut out for early starts!

Anyway, this is the first of my end of season reviews of the 2009/10 season. Up first are the goalies!

Number 31 - Stephen Fone
I will admit this now, before the season I was a big big fan of Stephen Fone. The admiration really came from the few games Stephen came in to help the Phoenix out when Smurf got injured in the 2008/09 season. Stephen played brilliantly, and seemed to settle into the team really well. So I was delighted the Phoenix had signed him from Coventry to give him his first season as a starting goal keeper. Stephen has a great glove hand and is really quick around the crease. He does tend to leave that crease a little more often than I would like, and over the course of the 2009/10 season the Phoenix would concede a fair few goals due to Foney being out of position. Stephen's season was affected greatly by a dislocated shoulder, suffered away in Swindon (I think) at the beginning of December. This combined with 4 lads going off for GB duty, really de-railed the Phoenix season, and neither Stephen or the Phoenix really regained that early season form. Stephen was not quite the same goalie upon his return, his upper body movement not quite what it was. He was understandably protecting his shoulder. The news that he would go for surgery in the off season would show that for the second half of the season he was not 100% fit.

Such a shame! Despite this, I would have Stephen back as our starter for the 2010/11 season, for a number of reasons! Firstly, with a repaired shoulder Stephen should hit the ground running and hopefully be at peak fitness for the whole season. Secondly, as I said early he seems at home in Manchester, the team loves him and the fans love him. Thirdly, can we afford a better keeper? Stephen is still young, only 23, looking around the league the only keeper's I would swap him for would be Slough's Greg Rockman, or even Guildford's Mark Lee. Both of whom would likely cost more.
Number 30 - Adam Summerfield The young Congletonian had a very good season, despite sitting on the bench for most of it, when called upon during December he really stood up and was counted! He never looked overawed, he played well and consistently and is starting to iron out a few of the mistakes he has made in the past. Adam is defiantly a keeper (pardon the pun) however he is at the stage of his career where he needs more ice time. He is already signed up for the Phoenix EPL squad for 2010/11 so that's next season sorted, but after that, he may well want to be moving into the starting keeper role. So for the 2011/12 season he may well have to drop to the Phoenix ENL side as a started or head elsewhere in the EPL. Even so he is a cracking little keeper, and one the Phoenix fans love!

Up next will be the defensive corps of the Phoenix!
If any of you out there have any pictures of the Phoenix players that I could use for each review, I would be very grateful!

Roll on September!

Phoenix v Basingstoke Bison 29th November Game Review

Before we get to last nights game, The Angry Budgie went to the Five Finger Death Punch gig friday night at the Manchester Acadamy. So a live gig review will follow shortly! Things hockey related, the Phoenix were in Slough saturday night and managed to get another win. At a cost this time with Steve Fone picking up a dislocated shoulder that saw young Adam Summerfield play the final 12 minutes of the game.

For sundays game Fone was the only scratch for the Phoenix, Summerfield now getting his first career start for the Phoenix.

First Period: All eyes were on Adam in net and hoping he could rise above his nerves and shine for the Phoenix, and, if the initial stages were anything to go by, the Phoenix would be in safe hands. Adam pulling off some fine saves with his glove hand, ad stopping most shots coming at him. With the defence helping Adam out in the net, it was down to the other Adam up front to get the scoring started. The first came just 63sec into the game with Tony and Ed combining with some exquisite passing to set Adam up unguarded on the back post. His second of the period would come at 11min's when James Neil would combine with Courtnay again to find Adam crashing the net to score. The Bison would get on the board after 14min 01sec through Steve Moria, proving that Tony isn't the only evergreen scorer in the league!

Second Period: With Adam performing very well between the pipes and the team helping out in front of the net the Phoenix looked to carry on the scoring in the second period. Courtnay would score the first of his second period hat trick after 23min 51sec shorthanded while the Phoenix had Joe Graham in the sin bin. Ed's second came on the power play after 30min 13sec assisted by Tony and Adam walker. The hat trick was complete at the 32min 20sec again assisted by Adam Walker. All three goals highlighting the big man's class. The Bison were able to halt the Phoenix goal machine and score one of their own, when Ciccarello advanced on young Adam and managed to force the puck through and into the net.

Third Period: After the first and second period's the third was a bit more quiet, the result more or less decided, it was down for pride now. The Bison scored next to make the scores 5-4 after 41min 08sec through Nicky Chinn. A little more pressure on the Phoenix net now as the Bison searched for the equalizer. The Phoenix scored next, with Jaakko Hagelberg tipping in a shot from the blue line at 44min 50sec. The Bison did pull Lawrence for the extra skater with a minute to go but the Phoenix held on for a deserved 6-4 victory.

Verdict: A 4 point weekend for the Phoenix and an assured performance from Adam in net. The big test will come next weekend when the Phoenix face off against MK Lightning. If Fone is not fit it will be the sternest test for the Phoenix and young Summerfield.

Attendance: A good crowd, not as big as last sunday v MK, but a decent 907 in the Dome!

Highlights:

Phoenix 6 - Basingstoke 4 - MEN Article

Manchester Phoenix 08/09 Season Review – The Goaltenders

Number 31: Stephen Murphy I will hold my hands up and say I was worried when the Phoenix announced Murphy’s signature. After having watched import goalies for many years I did wonder whether a homegrown nettie would do the job for the Phoenix. Now seven months and 66 games later im so happy to have been proven wrong. I have been really impressed with Stephen over the course of the season. He is a cracking goalie, my only negative would be: I would wish he stayed in his net! He tends to go on a wander some times and a few goals were conceded while he was out of position. However he is a flexible goalie and one that can move around in his net at high speed. Im also a fan of his, ‘get any part of your body in the way of the puck’ style of goaltending!

This season has proved he is, arguably, the best British goalie playing in the EIHL. Sadly Mr Lehman gaining a British Passport will now seriously affect any GB progression! A sad day as it was satisfying to see GB move away from this practice, but hey that’s an argument for another day. When you compare Murphy’s stats against the only other British starting nettie he comes off quite well:

Murphy – Games played: 66, GAA: 3.00, Save %:91
Lyle – Games played: 64, GAA:2.92, Save %: 90

So a great season from Murphy in the end and one Phoenix fan gladly proved wrong!

Re-sign? Absolutely yes!

Number 30: Adam Summerfield So it was down to Adam to fill the un-enviable back up goalie slot on the Phoenix roster. This usually means spending the whole season sitting on the bench waiting/dreading the moment the starter is pulled from the game. The 19-year-old northwest native was chosen for this role this past season, and a role im sure he was aware of when he signed up. Without a doubt he will have found it valuable to train with the elite side all year, and when he was called upon during the season he coped well with the pressure.

Another season’s experience gone Adam’s development has gone on leaps and bounds. Hopefully he will get more opportunities at this level soon. Its soon coming to the time where Adam must decide if he wants to carry on warming the bench, or possibly dropping down a level to find a starters position. Either way his time and effort for the Phoenix has been appreciated all year!

Re-sign? Yes please!

Hull v Phoenix 14th February Valentines Day Special, Game Review

This game was the second leg of our Knockout Cup quarter final against the Stingrays, so on the ‘most’ romantic of days what could be better than a trip across the M62 to Hull! With a 4-0 lead from the first leg most of the 50-60 travelling Phoenix fans will have been in confident mood. I was of the opinion that if we scored first we should win! However Hull are no pushover and, depending on what mood Cruickshank, was in it could be difficult.

First Period: In the end we need’nt have worried, the Phoenix controlled the game from the first period, limiting the chances the Stingray’s had on Smurf. The Phoenix got on the board first at 13min 49sec when Kyle Bruce slammed the puck home. The Phoenix faithful were on their feet again less than two minutes later when our captain Kenton Smith doubled the lead at 15min 24sec to make it 0-6 on aggregate. The Phoenix closed out the period in control and leaving the Phoenix travelling support in fine voice.

Second Period: More of the same this period, the only difference being we missed out any action in the far corner due to the sight lines from the away block. Though I cant really comment as the Dome is not the shining beacon of rink design! More control from the Phoenix, more noise from the fans though none from the home support. I know the team was 0-6 down but come on sing for your team? Anyway the lead was extended at 25min 52sec when Fulgham lit the light. The Stingrays finally got on the board at 32min 20sec when Kalmikov (who was the Rays best player of the night!) netted.

Third Period: I may be wrong but I think at the start of the third, or near the start both teams replaced their starting net minders. With Andrew Jaszczyk replacing the excellent Cruickshank and Adam Summerfield coming in for the Phoenix. The next goal came at 52min 48sec when Beauregard rounded Jaszczyk to score the Phoenix 4th goal. The Stingrays were not to be outdone and in a minutes spell brought the score line a bit more respectability. Firstly Glowa at 57min 49sec and 58min 42sec saw Mitchell bring the Stingrays to within one on the night.

Verdict: A potentially tricky encounter on Humberside, thankfully the Phoenix controlled the game from start to finish, with the added bonus of Summerfield getting decent run out in the net. Great turn out from the Phoenix fans who were in full voice from start to finish.

Attendance: Probably around 500 in the Ice Arena Saturday night. With 50-60 of those being the travelling Phoenix support.

MEN article.

Am still working on my game review for the Basingstoke game from last night (sunday) that should appear, hopefully, tomorrow evening!

Phoenix v Belfast 18th January Game Review

This is up a bit earlier than planned, ill be completing a new years resolution tomorrow at lunchtime....hopefully! Ill be able to post pics to prove it!

So the Phoenix were away in the House of Tin, Friday night to face the Steelers. As usual with games away in Shuff my expectations are a loss, but with this seasons team I expect a point from the game! Keeping tabs on IH update through the evening showed that it was a tight game. However the Phoenix lost out in regulation time. I remember being a little disappointed with the result, but more worried about the 3rd loss in a row! With the Giants at the Dome next, it was going to be tough for the Phoenix to break that run!

Anyway onto the Giants game, as mentioned before the Giants are a very good team! My memories of their first visit to the Dome were, that the Giants come at you fast and strong across 3 very good lines! The debate has been had on Lyle vs Murhpy but im biased so ill leave that one to you!

First Period: A strong start from both teams indicated this could be a real classic! So it proved, end to end action and yet no goals to show for it! The crowd were happy!

Second Period: More of the same in the second with neither team really letting up and giving an inch! Astonishingly it was just on the half way mark when Deniset, at 30min 4sec fired the puck home. This prompted the Phoenix to come back and take the lead through two Fulgham goals, the game tieing goal at 36min 1sec and the go-ahead goal at 38min 8sec. Sadly, the Phoenix’ fan delight was short lived, when just under a minute later Denistet got his second goal, timed 39min 1 sec.

Third Period: So we entered the third period with all to play for! Just someone forgot to tell the Phoenix! With only 19seconds gone Colin Shields fired an absolutely storming shot into Murphy’s top corner!After that the Phoenix simply collapsed and played possibly the worst 20min’s of hockey I have seen all season! The giants went on to score a further 5 unanswered goals:

45min 21sec – Dave Phillips
46min 15sec – Evan Cheverie
49min 47sec – Paul Deniset (third hatrick in three games at the Dome!)
51min 55sec – Bobby Robins
56min 26sec – George Awada.

I remember thinking after Deniset’s hatrick goal, ‘oh great we still have 10 minutes to go!’

It simply was a shambolic period from the Phoenix, Murphy was trying his best, but even he started to get affected by the poor performance! Finally Adam Summerfield got some ice time and came on for the last two minutes! Personally I would have had him on sooner! The game was lost after 19seconds! The only bright point was Kyle Bruce having a fight and, in my book, wiping the floor with his Giants adversary. Cheered us up in the stands!

Verdict: As you may have guessed I was not happy with last night’s game. Sorry I tell a lie, the Phoenix were great for the first two periods, but guys, hockey is a 60min game! The drop in performance was shocking, no wonder the atmosphere was flat and no one could be bothered singing!
Im not professing that the Phoenix are a great team, but this season we have a good set of players who have shown they can beat anyone! Plus for the first two periods, we not only equalled the Giants but possible edged it! Which makes the humiliating score line harder to take!
Coupled with the loss in Shuff Friday night, this means the Phoenix have now lost 4 in a row. The Devils are now edging closer, if the Phoenix want to live up to their league placing they need some consitency and need it now!
I think that is where the Phoenix are at now, we are a comfortable mid-table team, getting WLWLW results. Now the next development must be to string together a few wins, this will truly see the team press into the top 4!

Attendance: Not one of the best crowd’s in last night, I guesstimate about 1,200 in!

As usual here is the Manchester Online article.

Phoenix v Basingstoke 14th December Game Review

Well this game brought a busy pre Christmas period to a close, bar a small game versus the Steelers on the 21st December!, with this being the 4th game in 5 days. All our games against the Bison have been difficult, home or away the Bison are no push over! This can also be shown by some of the results the Herd have had against those at the summit of the table. As such this was a potential banana skin game for the Phoenix. I also wondered what effect the previous nights exertions against the Blaze would have on the team.

Anyway on to the game, another cold one at the Dome too!

First Period: After the first 10 minutes I thought the Phoenix looked good, it was never going to be a walk over but for the majority the puck remained in the Bison zone. As time wore on I did start thinking, ‘we should have scored by now!’ I know the Phoenix have no divine right to score but we had already had a number of chances, but were being kept at bay by some excellent goal tending from Reiter.
Anyway the break through finally came on 11minutes on the PPG with a goal from come back king Mulherin! That goal, and the five week layoff must have done wonders for Mulherin, on the back of goals against the Caps and further points picked up, Mulherin went mad and completed a first period hatrick. Second and third goals followed at 13mins 46sec with a short-handed goal and a second PPG at 17 minutes ensure the Phoenix were well ahead at the break.

Second Period: More of the same from the Phoenix in the second, but the Bison did get on the scoreboard at 19.47 from a storming shot from Braff on point. Probably one of the best shots seen at the Dome this was first class to the back of the net! Thankfully this prompted a scoring splurge from the Phoenix who raced to a 6-1 lead with goals from Beauregard (26.29), Walker (35.13) and Fulgham (37.35).

Third Period: Crikey the Bison come at you when they have nothing to loose! Couple with the Phoenix taking their foot off the gas the Bison came back with two quick goals in the third period. Firstly Tait at 43 mins and then through Stewart at 45mins the Bison brought the score to within 3 goals. Thankfully this was a wake up call to the Phoenix and Adam Walker scored his second of the night at about the 48th Minute. To cap off another good player performance Walker grabbed his own hatrick at 56min 32seconds to bring the scoreboard to 8-3. Finally with 5mins to go both teams replaced their netties, so this saw Adam Summerfield go between the pipes, he didnt face many shots be crucially he conceded none!

Verdict: Well a banana skin avoided tonight! A tough opposition, possible fatigue setting in but thankfully the Phoenix rose above it and put in a good performance to get the win! Special shouts must go out to Bruce Mulherin who has come back to the line up and provided much needed relief to Bauregard in the scoring column. A second shout to Adam Walker who worked his socks off and bagged a deserved hat trick! A final shout goes to our Birt/3rd Line which put in its best performance for a while! This line is the grit/hard working line, but tonight, with Cloots/Walker/Graham and Boorthroyd (mostly) it was great to see our Brits getting regular ice time and working so hard and more importantly getting their just rewards! Clouthier fits the bill on this line so well! He works hard and looks to protect our Brits, and they in turn try their best for every second of their shift!
My final thought comes as a result of the first 10 minutes of the third period. As has happened numerous times this season the Phoenix get into a great position on the scoreboard, but suddenly we seem to ease off and let the opposition in. I know the Bison only got to within 3 goals, but against other teams that lead could have been reversed! The Phoenix need to learn to kill of games and shut down the opposition. I believe this is the best team we have had at the Phoenix, iron these little things out and we could win things!

Attendance: Probably 1,200 in tonight, I think having two home games so close together contributed to the low turn out. But well done to everyone in last night in making the atmosphere half decent!

Team GB

With the GB team away this weekend it appears many elite league teams will be without parts of their roster. Here at the Phoenix we loose Tony Hand and 'Smurf'. This leads to mix feelings for myself, I'm happy that there are some Phoenix players in the squad but I am worried the effects this will have on the team, particularly as this weekends games feature a home and away series with the Steelers.

This will mean that our back up Adam will more than likely step between the pipes for his Elite debut, this creates a dilemma, as I have mentioned on the Phoenix forum's ill admit to being a bit nervous having Adam in net for this weekend. This is mainly due to his inexperience at this level! On the one hand I would prefer we got a net minder in with a proven Elite record, but I do want Adam to progress and he will only do that by getting minutes on the ice! Hence the dilemma!
The question may be answered for the Phoenix anyway, as it appears the Elite league and Sheffield seem intent on stopping the Phoenix drafting in anyone!

Looking ahead to that weekend it may turn out a more even series of games than we all think. While we will loose one of our best players, and our starting net minder. It seems Sheffield will be without up to 5 players. That being a whole line, and, it seems the Scimitars are playing all weekend too, means that Sheffield could be seriously short staffed. If that's that case, and so long as our defence step up and the whole team help Adam out it could be a good weekend for the Phoenix!

Well we will keep an eye on the news to see what happens but if you fancy a quick read of the article on the MEN website please click away!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/ice_hockey/s/1077583_hands_anger_at_goalie_farce