The Phoenix 09/10 Review - The Defence

Next up for the season review, is the defence...............

Number 4 - Luke Boothroyd
I will admit to being one of the Phoenix fan's who thought the captaincy a little overawed the young blue liner. But this 2009/10 season really has seen Boot's mature so fast and become, possibly, a Phoenix franchise player. Luke, never the less, has had another good season, he has continued to hold his own on the ice, despite being a small lad, and towards the end of the season really became the Captain he should be. It was evident in the early day's of the season that Luke didn't 'seam' to be the captain. He wouldn't approach the ref, didn't 'seam' to lead the team huddle. But as the season progressed he began to assert himself more and more. So much so that in the last month or so of the season he began to really take the team by the scruff of their neck in the charge to the playoffs. Luke has already signed up for the 2010/11 season with the Phoenix, and the return of the captain is a big signature for the organization. Luke is a player who could quite easily play in the EIHL, and to retain his services is a big boost to the Phoenix.

Number 10 - Joe Graham
A mixed year for youngster Joe Graham, much sentiment on the Phoenix forum was that Joe went walkabouts too much during the regular season. There may be some truth to that, as it certainly seemed there were a few games where Joe's performance was a little anonymous. There were a few occasions where the pressure of various games got to Joe and he would make one or two costly mistakes. Im sure if you listened back to many a Phoenix podcasts, comments were made. Myself I am willing to give Joe the benefit of the doubt, he is a young player who needs to gain experiences. This past year in the EPL will have aided his development alot, and as with the rest of the Phoenix, his performance really started to move up a few notches in the run up to the playoffs. Joe has yet to sort out his 2010/11 plans, I would be open to him returning to the Phoenix, alot will depend on the budget and whether Neil/Tony can afford to sign a more experienced blue line.


Number 15 - Ben Wood
2009/10 was the breakout year for the young lad from Macclesfield. For so long in the season he was forced to play up front, out of his usual position, and he struggled. After a few chats with him, he is honest enough to admit that. You can only do as good as you can, the real marker was when Tony switched Ben back into his more natural defensive position. During December/January when the switch was made Ben broke out! His stick handling improved beyond measure, his speed across the ice improved and his physical style of play carried on at the high level of intensity he has always been known for. So much so that Ben has quickly become a fan favorite for the effort he gives on the ice. The only issue I see that holds Ben back a little, is his build. Ben is a tall slim lad, and could really do with adding some muscle. While he does not get out muscled on the ice, he could do with some size to really intimidate the opposition. Im delighted that Ben is returning to the blue line next season, and 2010/11 could really be the season when Ben establishes himself as a top EPL player.

Number 2 - Andre Mattsson
Talk about a marmite kind of player! The big Swede divided the Phoenix faithful with his performances across the season. For some he is way to offense minded, and will often be found out of position leaving the Phoenix goal vulnerable. For the others he is a solid defenseman, who puts up some very useful pointage! For me, I will admit to being a fan of Andre, however I am not so naive enough not to acknowledge his shortcomings. There were many occasions on the ice where he had pressed so far forward, that when possession was lost and the opposition transitioned back to the Phoenix zone, Andre was no where to be seen. Personally I loved his big presence on the ice, his big shot and the offensive points he contributed to the cause! Andre has not re-signed for 2010-11 and there will be many who do not want to see him return. I'm undecided, while his offensive contribution was valuable, im not comfortable with how often he left our goal exposed. On that basis, I would say thank you very much Andre but good bye.

Number 25 - Ryan Johnson
The big man from Sheffield, a quite surprising signing during the season, one that caught many Phoenix fans out! Another defenceman who came in and was seemingly played up front. This really did nothing for Ryan, as he does not have the speed or tight control required of a forward. He does have the perfect aspects of a defenceman, while not being very tall, he is big! After seeing him warming up in a few games he really is a beefcake too! A very strong player with a useful shot too, Ryan really helped shore up the defencive lines when Tony sent him out onto the ice. I would be pleased to see Ryan back on the Phoenix blue line, he certainly helps to add size to our defencive corps.

Last one is the forwards!

Phoenix v Sheffield 13th September Game Review

Yesterday saw the Phoenix kick off their EPL season with their first home game of the season. This was the 2nd leg of our pre-season friendly with the Sheffield Scimitars. In the battle for the War of The Roses Cup, the Phoenix held a 3-2 lead from the first leg saturday night. Goals coming from Lachowiz, Hand and Haelberg.

So to sunday night, and a rather weary Angry Budgie, op account of arriving that sunday morning back of holiday, made its first pilgrimage to the Ice Dome. A little nervous as we really had no idea what sort of hockey we were going to see! Then at 5.30pm the long summer of nothingness was banished as two sides set battle on ice!

First Period: Off we went and crikey, were in for a treat this season! Not only did the Phoenix look good, but Sheffield looked good too! Anyone who thinks the EPL is a drop in class is 100% wrong! Both sides traded early chances with both goaltenders called into early action. End to end hockey coupled with a few penalties meant chances for both sides. However it was the Phoenix who broke the deadlock first, while on the powerplay Andre Mattsson stepped off the blue line and fired an absolute stormer past the Scimitars goalie. Phoenix off the mark at 5min 29seconds. The Phoenix were not to have it all their own way and at 11min 12seconds James Archer stole in on Steve Fone to bring the Scims level.

Second Period: It was as if the interval hadn't happened each team continuing the aggression from the first period. The Scimitars broke first after just 55seconds of the period gone, the Scims excellent captain Slamiar got his first of two after finishing off a neat move. The Phoenix upped the pressure and were rewarded at the half hour mark when a typical Tony Hand laser accurate pass found Greg Wood on the far post who brought the Phoenix level on the night, and ahead on aggregate.

Third Period: The Scimitar's hit the Phoenix early again in the third, as they levelled the game at 40min 25seconds, through their captain Slamiar. It looked like OT was beckoning as Sheffield dealt well with the Phoenix pressure, and caused a few scares as the Phoenix often left Fone exposed. The young British netminder standing on his head, and proving why he is loved by the Phoenix faithful. The final goal of the game, and the tie winning goal came from Greg Wood at 36min 25seconds. The Phoenix did score a 4th through Andre Payette however the goal was washed out, as Payette was adjudged to have strayed into the Scimitars crease. Sheffield piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes but the Phoenix stood strong and held on to lift the War of the Roses cup.

Verdict: Cracking game and a great first performance from the Phoenix! Considering the team had only two training sessions and had only been together for 4 days, the team did well. Still much more work needed, while the Phoenix did well going forward, they did leave defence exposed. This will, if not sorted, hurt us badly! Still very encouraging, considering most in the Dome will have been watching the Phoenix for the first time this season! early season favourite players are turning out to be Andre Mattsson (hes massive and has a great shot!), Jakko Hagelberg (seems to be this seasons Luke Staufacher/Kyle Bruce type of forward) and young Greg Wood (who passes a great resemblance to one Joe Tallari!)

Attendance: Really good turn our for a friendly, and a game not on the Season Ticket as a result. I would guess at around 6-700 in the Ice Dome. As usual a great atmosphere, hopefully the Dome will become known as an intimidating venue within the EPL! So a cracking night was had, and a really encouraging start for the Phoenix!

Phoenix TV Hilights:


Phoenix 3 Scimitar's 3 - MEN Article.

Hopefully this week will also see my reviews of the three Collage Football games that had occured while The Angry Budgie was on tour. That tour will also see a posting in the not too distant future too!