Number 9: Tony Hand Well, what can you say? The greatest player to have come out of and play in the UK. The British ‘Great One’ and the Phoenix coach. Manchester fans have been lucky to see Mr Hand play two full seasons at the Ice Dome and the great one gets better and better! There is no finer mind playing in the UK, at this moment! Many opposing fans bemoan their own team not taking him out and hitting him! That’s simply because…..you cant! He skates well, his stick handling is top notch and he can pick out a pass through a solid wall!
It is no surprise that since Tony has been playing for the Phoenix, Manchester have consistently had some of the leagues top point scorers. First Johan Molin, Second Joe Tallari and now David-Alexandre Beauregard! As you may have seen from my game review’s the only negative I will say regarding Mr Hand, is his frustratingly unwillingness to shoot the puck! So many times he has tried to find a pass when a shot would have been easier! Having said that Tony has showed great strides in his off ice development. Putting together another great team on a budget!
Re-Sign? Mr Hand’s ageing bones will decide this, im hoping he has at least one more season in them!
Season Stats: GP: 67, Goals: 21, Assists: 68, Points: 89, Pim: 84.
Number 10: David-Alexandre Beauregard Well what can you say about David-Alexandre Beauregard? Numerous Phoenix awards, numerous EIHL awards including Ice Hockey Journalists, and the EIHL top goal scorer and point’s scorer. David-Alexandre Beauregard has been, Tony Hand aside, the best player to pull on a Phoenix jersey! I would argue he has also been the best player to play hockey in Manchester! A player every other team would want, this guy just knows where the net is! His favorite haunt being un-marked on the back post, with Tony Hand usually finding him! Much has been made of his eyesight so I wont go into that. But the guy has been phenomenal!
David used his immense class and experience to lift the team when in a doldrums, and what makes it even sweeter? He is a thoroughly nice man! Always willing to spend time talking to the press and the fans, no wonder everyone loves him! The biggest surprise to those outside the Phoenix is, this man has been playing this great hockey all his life! So its not always down to being on the same line as Tony Hand! Even so David-Alexandre Beauregard had a career season with the Phoenix scoring an amazing 107 points. The man, the legend, David-Alexandre Beauregard!
Re-sign? Ask a silly question! Of course, he must be the first signature the Phoenix make! However the Phoenix will never be able to pay him what he could no doubt earn in Europe or back in the US. Plus with Nottingham/Sheffield and Coventry already rumored to be sniffing around, it will be hard for the Phoenix to hold on to him. This blogger will hope that his decision will not be totally reliant on money!
Season stats: GP: 69, Goals: 61, Assists: 46, Points: 107, Pim: 42
Number 11: Lucas Burnett Lucas came in a month into the season to fill the skates of the departing Grant Jacobsen. He took a while to settle in but he used his skill and speed to work tirelessly for the squad. Lucas slotted well into the second line and produced a near career high in terms of points for the season. A great team player, the British Columbian native worked hard every night.
After the anger from the fans had subsided following Jacobsen’s departure, out emerged Lucas Burnett and most fans were left thinking, Grant who……? While slightly smaller out on the ice the Phoenix did not miss Grant and, arguably, had replaced him with a better player!
Re-sign? His work on the second line had made him invaluable to the Phoenix all season! Yes please!
Season stats: GP: 56, Goals: 17, Assists: 27, Points: 44, Pim: 42
Number 14: Nathan Ward Another second line star, the centre man of that line and one of the teams highest scorers. Finishing up 4th in terms of scoring, a season where around 10 games were lost due to injury. Had it not been for those lost games Nate Ward would have finished closer to Luke Fulgham in the stats. Nathan almost bettered his 0708 season stats at Odessa but who knows what he may have finished with!
Nathan Ward was another fan favourite, who gave it his all every night. He also deputised on defence when needed and earned much respect while doing so!
Re-sign? As with Lucas, star second liners can be hard to find so once you have one, hold on to them! Yes please!
Season stats: GP: 69, Goals: 18, Assists: 38, Points: 56, Pim: 51
Number 16: Brett Clouthier The big man! Rapidly becoming the franchise player and a place in Phoenix fans hearts. Brett Clouthier commands instant respect the moment he steps on the ice. I would say Brett deserves to have number 16 retired at the Ice Dome the moment he decides to leave Manchester. His willingness to defend his team mates and work hard in the corners endear him to every fan in the stands.
An improvement in output when compared to his first full season in Manchester but a surprisingly quiet one in terms of Pim’s. It seemed like Tony had to rein him in a fair few times this season. His lack of Pim’s is highlighted when looking at the Phoenix roster where he only managed 3rd most number of Pim’s. Even so he is a Phoenix legend! Its an easy tag for Brett but appropriate, when the going got tough, Brett got going!
Re-sign? Another silly question, once you have Tony and David Beauregard signed up, the third signature must be Brett’s! Yes please!
Season stats: GP: 69, Goals: 12, Assists: 22, Points: 34, Pim: 175
Number 18: Bruce Mulherin The first of the Phoenix’ Brucie bonus! Along with Kyle Bruce, Bruce Mulherin had a fantastic season for the Phoenix. Hampered by a couple of injuries throughout the season it seemed that when Bruce played well, the Phoenix played well. Making up the last part of the second line offence, Bruce gave the Phoenix two strong lines to rely on all season!
Coming in at number 5 on the Phoenix scoring charts may seem a little unimpressive, but Bruce also brought toughness with him. Willing to mix it up when needed Bruce also racked up a fair few pim’s too! A career best season for Bruce also highlighted how valuable he was to the team.
Re-sign? As the final cog of the second line, his signature is also a must. To have that strength in dept is invaluable to a team!
Season stats: GP: 55, Goals: 25, Assists: 23, Points: 48, Pim: 115
Number 27: Luke Fulghum Often the forgotten man of the first line, and he probably likes it that way! Luke spent the season terrorising opposition defence with his skill and speed. Often difficult to stop and pin down Luke was not to be outdone by his line mates.
Another player who had a career season with the Phoenix, but some would argue playing on a line wit Tony Hand, most players would. It shows how well his season went in Manchester that his name often crops up on opposing fan hockey forum as a player they would want. All I, and the other Phoenix fans will say is, hands off he’s ours!
Re-sign? Yes, yes and errr yes! Being the club’s third highest point scorer you would need your head examining if you didn’t want Luke on your team!
Season stats: GP: 67, Goals: 34, Assists: 50, Points: 84, Pim: 38
Number 29: Adam Walker A resident of the Phoenix third line alongside Brett Clothier. Increased ice time this season saw Adam step up and provide the goods. Adam has had a fantastic season and has come out as a superb penalty shot taker. Now showing signs of developing into a class player, Adam has the raw skill to pull off some sublime moves. Hopefully, with another season under Tony Hand, Adam can polish those skills and start bothering the second line!
Adam stepped up and had his best season wearing a Phoenix shirt, including 17 goals and being the second least penalised player on the roster. With more ice time and further development Adam will soon become a main stay of the GB team.
Re-sign? As mentioned with Carl Graham, with the possibility of British EIHL players becoming rarer its important to hold on to them. For this reason and the prospect of developing another gem it will be important to make sure Adam stays in Manchester.
So yes please!!
Season stats: GP: 69, Goals: 17, Assists: 12, Points: 29, Pim: 8
Number 54: Kyle Bruce A player willing to rattle glass across the league, and a player who, almost, dethroned the resident Phoenix hard man Brett Clouthier! Despite his size Kyle would take on anyone, including the leagues bad boy Brad Voth, only to loose on reach alone! Kyle made up the second part of the Phoenix Brucie bonus. With his hard and physical style of play endearing him to the Phoenix faithful.
Yet another player having a career season here in Manchester, Kyle has the distinction of being another players with their own song:
‘If Cloots wont get you Brucie will, do dah do dah’
Kyle is a gem of a player who gives 110% every shift every game, frequently giving the full blood, sweat and tears effort in a 60 minute game. Kyle was willing to put his body on the line for the team and always led by example. Kind of a Clouthier mini me too!
Re-sign? Absobluminlutely yes! Kyle is a pint sized pocket rocket. A Luke Stauffacher with more production!
Season stats: GP: 58, Goals: 13, Assists: 27, Points: 40, Pim: 179
Also Iced:
Number 19: Grant Jacobsen Grant was signed as the powerful centre man for the second line. He turned out to be just that, a big guy who led the rush for the net. Despite his size Grant also had the skill and was destined to be a staple of the team. However, he controversially left the team with 24 hours noticed and returned to Texas to play out the remained of the season with the team, from which the Phoenix signed him.
Widely condemned for this in the stands at the Ice Dome, Grant was not missed as the team brought in the superb Lucas Burnett. The worse thing for the Phoenix, it would seem Grant used the Phoenix for pre-season training for the CHL. With the EIHL beginning a month before the CHL, Grant arrived got in shape, played a couple of games before fleeing back to Texas.
Re-sign? Not a chance, with his actions being a disgrace the league is better off without him!
Season stats: GP: 8, Goals: 2, Assists: 2, Points: 4, Pim: 14
So thats my player by player season review, next up for the blog will be my own team by team review of the season! If you want to have a read of one done already, head on over the Paul's Breakaway Hockey Blog.
Meanwhile I hope you out there in readerland are ok, and enjoying the summer silly season!
Showing posts with label Brett Clouthier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brett Clouthier. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Phoenix v Basingstoke 03rd March Game Review
The Phoenix are in the middle of a fixture crunch at the moment, last nights game was a re-run of a week last Sundays first attempt at playing this fixture. That game was called off as the Basingstoke bus broke down and decided to explode around Birmingham. The hockey gods must have had something in for this fixture as it almost happened again last night! Details to follow!
As mentioned this game is part of a hectic march for the Phoenix, with a million games in a month! (OK slight exaggeration there but still!). Never the less points are still up for grabs and that 5th place is to be taken back! I would usually expect home games against the Bison to be won and won easily. But the Bison are no pushover, especially with the excellent Reiter in goal!
First Period: For the first few minutes the Bison had the better chances but in the end the extra quality the Phoenix have started to show through. The first goal was a thing of beauty, a Phoenix 3 on 1 break saw a quick stick to stick exchange between Kyle Bruce and Lucas Burnett which left Burnett free on the back post to slot home! Phew first goal to the Phoenix. From then on the Phoenix pressed home the advantage and in the final minute of the period Alex Dunn slotted home a power play goal at 19min 19sec.
Second Period: The aforementioned hockey gods were obviously not pleased with this fixture when, 28 seconds into the period the Dome was, momentarily, plunged into darkness. After a 10minute cool down the lights were back up and we were underway!
Kyle Bruce and Lucas Burnett combined again after 30min 21sec to produce a more or less identical goal to the first of the night! The game was wrapped up less than two minutes later, when at 32min 09sec, Brett Clouthier latched onto a centring pass and scored a lovely breakaway goal.
Third Period: A combination of the Phoenix easing off and the Bison continuing their hard work almost allowed the Herd back into the game. The excellent Reiter held the Phoenix at bay for most of the period, and the Bison scored twice to give the tie some respectability. The first for the Herd at 44min 38sec came from Shaun Thomson and the second at 54min 52sec from Ivo Mocek. The Herd replaced Reiter with Graeme Bird for the last 10 minutes, ish, and pressed for more goals. The Phoenix, however, stood strong and the last goal of the game was an empty netter for Luke Fulgham at 59min 06sec.
Verdict: The Phoenix did just about enough to get the win and not suffer any major crisis or injury. In the end I do think the scoreline flattered the Herd a little. In reality Basingstoke are having a tough time, the team are poor and were it not for Reiter in net the score could have been double figures for the Phoenix. I only hope we do see the Bison in the top flight next season! The only black mark for the Phoenix, for me, would be letting the Bison back into the game in the third. But that’s a minor point.
Attendance: Poor, pushing 1,000 if we were lucky! A couple of things contributed to the poor crowd: Midweek game, Cold weather, Playing the Bison (no way support – except, rather randomly two Sheffield fans!), Re-Arranged fixture and a further 5 home games this month! Not including an extra home Cup final and home leg of the playoffs!
So next up for the Phoenix is the visit of the Capitals this Thursday night, sadly its a game im missing due to gig commitments. Ill be eagerly checking my phone for updates from the game. Its another game we should win comfortably, but you can never take wins for granted. Ill do a quick review based on reports from the game as normal and that should appear Friday if all goes well!
Last nights game is the beginning of March madness for the Phoenix, and here’s why:
Thu 5th March – Capitals – Home
Sat 7th March – Stingrays – Away
Sun 8th March – Giants – Home (CC Final)
Wed 11th March – Devils – Away
Thu 12th March – Devils – Home
Sat 14th March – Bison – Away
Sun 15th March – Vipers - Home
Tue 17th March – Giants – Away (CC Final)
Thu 19th March – Stingrays – Home
Sat 21st March – Capitals – Away
Sun 22nd March – Giants – Home
Add to that the two legs of the Knockout Cup v Devils/Giants and a two legged playoff game the Phoenix are looking at a possible 15 games in March! I just hope that the heavy fixture schedule does not harm the Phoenix’ best chance of winning some silverware this season!
So keep an eye on this blog as March is going to be a busy time for it, and the Phoenix!
Phoenix TV:
MEN Article
Anyway, as ever go support local hockey!
As mentioned this game is part of a hectic march for the Phoenix, with a million games in a month! (OK slight exaggeration there but still!). Never the less points are still up for grabs and that 5th place is to be taken back! I would usually expect home games against the Bison to be won and won easily. But the Bison are no pushover, especially with the excellent Reiter in goal!
First Period: For the first few minutes the Bison had the better chances but in the end the extra quality the Phoenix have started to show through. The first goal was a thing of beauty, a Phoenix 3 on 1 break saw a quick stick to stick exchange between Kyle Bruce and Lucas Burnett which left Burnett free on the back post to slot home! Phew first goal to the Phoenix. From then on the Phoenix pressed home the advantage and in the final minute of the period Alex Dunn slotted home a power play goal at 19min 19sec.
Second Period: The aforementioned hockey gods were obviously not pleased with this fixture when, 28 seconds into the period the Dome was, momentarily, plunged into darkness. After a 10minute cool down the lights were back up and we were underway!
Kyle Bruce and Lucas Burnett combined again after 30min 21sec to produce a more or less identical goal to the first of the night! The game was wrapped up less than two minutes later, when at 32min 09sec, Brett Clouthier latched onto a centring pass and scored a lovely breakaway goal.
Third Period: A combination of the Phoenix easing off and the Bison continuing their hard work almost allowed the Herd back into the game. The excellent Reiter held the Phoenix at bay for most of the period, and the Bison scored twice to give the tie some respectability. The first for the Herd at 44min 38sec came from Shaun Thomson and the second at 54min 52sec from Ivo Mocek. The Herd replaced Reiter with Graeme Bird for the last 10 minutes, ish, and pressed for more goals. The Phoenix, however, stood strong and the last goal of the game was an empty netter for Luke Fulgham at 59min 06sec.
Verdict: The Phoenix did just about enough to get the win and not suffer any major crisis or injury. In the end I do think the scoreline flattered the Herd a little. In reality Basingstoke are having a tough time, the team are poor and were it not for Reiter in net the score could have been double figures for the Phoenix. I only hope we do see the Bison in the top flight next season! The only black mark for the Phoenix, for me, would be letting the Bison back into the game in the third. But that’s a minor point.
Attendance: Poor, pushing 1,000 if we were lucky! A couple of things contributed to the poor crowd: Midweek game, Cold weather, Playing the Bison (no way support – except, rather randomly two Sheffield fans!), Re-Arranged fixture and a further 5 home games this month! Not including an extra home Cup final and home leg of the playoffs!
So next up for the Phoenix is the visit of the Capitals this Thursday night, sadly its a game im missing due to gig commitments. Ill be eagerly checking my phone for updates from the game. Its another game we should win comfortably, but you can never take wins for granted. Ill do a quick review based on reports from the game as normal and that should appear Friday if all goes well!
Last nights game is the beginning of March madness for the Phoenix, and here’s why:
Thu 5th March – Capitals – Home
Sat 7th March – Stingrays – Away
Sun 8th March – Giants – Home (CC Final)
Wed 11th March – Devils – Away
Thu 12th March – Devils – Home
Sat 14th March – Bison – Away
Sun 15th March – Vipers - Home
Tue 17th March – Giants – Away (CC Final)
Thu 19th March – Stingrays – Home
Sat 21st March – Capitals – Away
Sun 22nd March – Giants – Home
Add to that the two legs of the Knockout Cup v Devils/Giants and a two legged playoff game the Phoenix are looking at a possible 15 games in March! I just hope that the heavy fixture schedule does not harm the Phoenix’ best chance of winning some silverware this season!
So keep an eye on this blog as March is going to be a busy time for it, and the Phoenix!
Phoenix TV:
MEN Article
Anyway, as ever go support local hockey!
Monday, 5 January 2009
Phoenix v Nottingham 04th January Game Review
So here we are 2009 and the first game of the new year for the Phoenix. Coming into this game vs the Panthers the Phoenix had been in action over in Belfast the previous evening. From what I have heard the Phoenix were not at their best and went down 3-1. Even though we lost its good to see the boys did not let Mr Lyle get a shut-out!
Anyway enough about that….onto the Panther game!
First Period: Very even first period with a fair few chances being created and both Robinson and Murphy were on top form keeping the scoreboard at 0-0. Sadly a goal did come in the first and it went to the Panthers. Cook slotted the puck home on 17min and 3sec to give the Panthers the lead. I did not panic however as the Panthers were good in the first but not out-of-sight!
Second Period: More or less a carbon copy of the first period, but with one major deviation from that script! Mr Beauregard was left alone on the far post (teams always seem to do that!) and none other than Mr Hand found him! Its now a 1-1 game! Oh forgot to mention that was a PPG, yes the Phoenix made a PP work!
Third Period: Again another even period (broken record anyone….?). This time it was the Panthers who scored the go ahead goal through Bergin at 43min 32sec. No need to panic with 16mins left still plenty of time to score. The Phoenix did indeed level-up the game at 47min and 9sec when it was the turn of Fulgham to feed Beauregard and on the second attempt Beau slotted the puck through the legs of Robinson. Cue ecstatic scenes in the stands! Must also mention this was another PPG!
Now it really was anyone’s game! Thankfully at 52min and 4 sec Clouthier powered down the boards and released an absolutely stonking shot, which Robinson did get a glove to but the power of the shot took the puck through his glove and into the net! 3-2 Phoenix!
The Phoenix called a timeout not long after a couple of long hard working shifts, to give the guys a break. Then with about 2mins left the Panthers called a timeout and pulled Robinson from the ice to give them a man advantage at the end. Thankfully the Phoenix and Smurf played hard, committed defence and with one second left Ward scored an empty netter to give the Phoenix a 4-2 win!
Verdict: Good away support for the Panthers, I remember arriving at the Dome and seeing hardly any Phoenix fans! The Panther fans filled maybe two and a half blocks! Not bad, and more than double the table topping Steelers brought back in December.
As for the game, well a bit of a must win for the Phoenix to avoid a pointless weekend! A difficult proposition against the Panthers who were looking for their own 4 point weekend!
In the end it was a great game between two very evenly matched teams, OK the Panthers were missing a couple of imports but even with them I don’t think the Panthers are that far ahead of the Phoenix!
A deserved win for the Phoenix plus an interesting few mins reading the reactions on the Cage Fourm. It seems despite our league placing and the win over them, many Panther fans still dismiss the Phoenix.
Its interesting to read fans of the so called ‘top’ clubs still dismissing our club, in the end it makes wins over them ever so sweet!
Attendance: Good crowd in the Dome last night, im guessing about 1,500 in, plus, as always at the Dome, a great atmosphere!
...and finally, I will start to add links to the local rag's review of Phoenix games in my own Game Review posts. So here we go, click here if you want to read the Manchester Online take on last nights game.
Anyway enough about that….onto the Panther game!
First Period: Very even first period with a fair few chances being created and both Robinson and Murphy were on top form keeping the scoreboard at 0-0. Sadly a goal did come in the first and it went to the Panthers. Cook slotted the puck home on 17min and 3sec to give the Panthers the lead. I did not panic however as the Panthers were good in the first but not out-of-sight!
Second Period: More or less a carbon copy of the first period, but with one major deviation from that script! Mr Beauregard was left alone on the far post (teams always seem to do that!) and none other than Mr Hand found him! Its now a 1-1 game! Oh forgot to mention that was a PPG, yes the Phoenix made a PP work!
Third Period: Again another even period (broken record anyone….?). This time it was the Panthers who scored the go ahead goal through Bergin at 43min 32sec. No need to panic with 16mins left still plenty of time to score. The Phoenix did indeed level-up the game at 47min and 9sec when it was the turn of Fulgham to feed Beauregard and on the second attempt Beau slotted the puck through the legs of Robinson. Cue ecstatic scenes in the stands! Must also mention this was another PPG!
Now it really was anyone’s game! Thankfully at 52min and 4 sec Clouthier powered down the boards and released an absolutely stonking shot, which Robinson did get a glove to but the power of the shot took the puck through his glove and into the net! 3-2 Phoenix!
The Phoenix called a timeout not long after a couple of long hard working shifts, to give the guys a break. Then with about 2mins left the Panthers called a timeout and pulled Robinson from the ice to give them a man advantage at the end. Thankfully the Phoenix and Smurf played hard, committed defence and with one second left Ward scored an empty netter to give the Phoenix a 4-2 win!
Verdict: Good away support for the Panthers, I remember arriving at the Dome and seeing hardly any Phoenix fans! The Panther fans filled maybe two and a half blocks! Not bad, and more than double the table topping Steelers brought back in December.
As for the game, well a bit of a must win for the Phoenix to avoid a pointless weekend! A difficult proposition against the Panthers who were looking for their own 4 point weekend!
In the end it was a great game between two very evenly matched teams, OK the Panthers were missing a couple of imports but even with them I don’t think the Panthers are that far ahead of the Phoenix!
A deserved win for the Phoenix plus an interesting few mins reading the reactions on the Cage Fourm. It seems despite our league placing and the win over them, many Panther fans still dismiss the Phoenix.
Its interesting to read fans of the so called ‘top’ clubs still dismissing our club, in the end it makes wins over them ever so sweet!
Attendance: Good crowd in the Dome last night, im guessing about 1,500 in, plus, as always at the Dome, a great atmosphere!
...and finally, I will start to add links to the local rag's review of Phoenix games in my own Game Review posts. So here we go, click here if you want to read the Manchester Online take on last nights game.
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Phoenix v Newcastle 26th December Game Review
So I hope every one had a great christmas and got everything they wanted from Santa! I must also apologise for the late posting of this game review! As you all will know christmas plans are never set in stone!
So onto the game, it seemed like we hadn't played the Vipers before, its been a long time since they last visited the Dome! Games against the Vipers have always been very physical and quite even, however I would always expect the Phoenix to win the home games against Newcastle!
First Period: A classic first period, end to end hockey, very physical but some great hockey being played. Then over a 8 second period after 5 mins the game was more or less all said and done! Firstly Fulghum scored at 5min 10sec, and as Andy C was reading out the details the second went in at 5min 18sec through Burnett un-assisted! The Phoenix, had, prior to this lost Clouthier to a game penalty for 3rd man in. Now I did not see the incident that caused this, but I remember seeing Clouthier wheel around and stride into the corner. Sadly the officials come down hard on 3rd man in and Cloots was chucked! The period carried on as normal and then with 24sec left in the period Bauregard scored the 3rd for the Phoenix. Overall a very satisfying opener for the Phoenix!
Second Period: Newcastle seemed to find some life in this period and slowly found some life, Verner between the pipes also found his form! The only goal of the period fell to the Vipers and Griffith got his first of the game at 28min 9sec.
Third Period: Another tight period with only one goal to show for it. This fell to Griffiths again who scored the second at 41min 15sec. This set up the third nicely, but the Phoenix managed to hold on and secure the two points.
Verdict: A classic game against the Vipers, tight, physical and hard. However very happy we got the win. Campbell and Payette made themselves an annoyance all game but thankfully the guys dealt with it easily!
Was also good to see the boys doing the double and securing another two points with a win up in Newcastle the following night!
Attendance: Quite a large crowd in considering it was boxing day! I would say 1,400 in!
So onto the game, it seemed like we hadn't played the Vipers before, its been a long time since they last visited the Dome! Games against the Vipers have always been very physical and quite even, however I would always expect the Phoenix to win the home games against Newcastle!
First Period: A classic first period, end to end hockey, very physical but some great hockey being played. Then over a 8 second period after 5 mins the game was more or less all said and done! Firstly Fulghum scored at 5min 10sec, and as Andy C was reading out the details the second went in at 5min 18sec through Burnett un-assisted! The Phoenix, had, prior to this lost Clouthier to a game penalty for 3rd man in. Now I did not see the incident that caused this, but I remember seeing Clouthier wheel around and stride into the corner. Sadly the officials come down hard on 3rd man in and Cloots was chucked! The period carried on as normal and then with 24sec left in the period Bauregard scored the 3rd for the Phoenix. Overall a very satisfying opener for the Phoenix!
Second Period: Newcastle seemed to find some life in this period and slowly found some life, Verner between the pipes also found his form! The only goal of the period fell to the Vipers and Griffith got his first of the game at 28min 9sec.
Third Period: Another tight period with only one goal to show for it. This fell to Griffiths again who scored the second at 41min 15sec. This set up the third nicely, but the Phoenix managed to hold on and secure the two points.
Verdict: A classic game against the Vipers, tight, physical and hard. However very happy we got the win. Campbell and Payette made themselves an annoyance all game but thankfully the guys dealt with it easily!
Was also good to see the boys doing the double and securing another two points with a win up in Newcastle the following night!
Attendance: Quite a large crowd in considering it was boxing day! I would say 1,400 in!
Monday, 15 December 2008
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!
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!
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