Steady Eddies Return

After the excitement of the Phoenix first re-building announcement the Phoenix followed that up by announcing two returning Brit's to the roster. Captain fantastic and goal scoring machine Luke Boothroyd and hard man winger James Archer. Both players were always likely to return to the Phoenix but, especially in Boothroyd's case, there is always the worry the club will lose them to the EIHL. 

Forward - James Archer 
Despite a bit of a slow start James ended the 12-13 season with his highest season points tally with the Phoenix and, one of the highest in his career. He is not a flashy player or overly skillful but he packs one hell of a punch. Difficult to move off the puck, James has a good hockey mind to get in the right place at the right time. His 12/13 season finished with a point per game average, pretty good for a second line winger. Ideally I would like to see him edge up that average in the coming year. 

Defence - Luke Boothroyd 
Captain fantastic, returns for a 6th season with the Phoenix and, possibly, 5th as captain. One of the solid rocks in the EPL Luke gives the Phoenix such a cool/calm head on the blue line. Partnered with Schanbel he formed an impressive pairing. Not only known for his defencive abilities, 12/13 marked Luke out as being a danger on the powerplay. Intelligent with the puck Luke had a career year last year and really proved he could be one of the few Brit EPL players who could handle the step up to the EIHL. 

So that's three forwards (four including Sir Toe Knee) and one defenceman announced so far. While there is a long way to go in terms of roster building, the Phoenix are looking good so far. 

The time between this announcement and the writing of this blog post, the joy has been tempered somewhat by the news Tom Duggan will not be returning to the Phoenix for a fourth season. He was announced as a Guildford Flames player for the 13/14 season

I am gutted Tom has left but, as someone said on one of the hockey forums, 'he was only ever on loan at the Phoenix while at university up here' so, with his last exam completed I guess it was a matter of time before his return south. Tom has been a consistent performer for the Phoenix and definitely a player who plays for the badge on the front rather than the name on the back. Thanks for all your efforts Tom, you will always be welcome in Altrincham.

Re-Birth of the Phoenix - Czech Style

The dust has well and truly settled on the 2012/13 EPL season, a season that many Phoenix fans will remember forever. The year the Phoenix broke their finals hoodoo. Many a fan are now able to relive those moments through the finals DVD which, im sure, every Phoenix fan ordered, haha! Big shout out to Graham Bell and friend who provided excellent commentary for the full weekend too. Their Bison bias wasn't too bad for the second semi final! ;-p 

Anyway, all 10 EPL clubs have moved on and are in the process of their summer recruitment. The Phoenix, usually, are slow off the mark but this week saw the Phoenix roster begin to take shape. It was quite the announcement too! 

Forward - Frantisek Bakrlik
This is a guy @pullthegoalie1 is in love with, probably his second man crush after Declan Ryan! For the 12/13 season, in the games at the Ice Dome, I don't remember him doing anything special. Much to ridicule on the podcast. Hey, im a fan, what do I know! For someone who 'wasn't all that' his still scored 82 points off 53 games. So the talent is their, along with toughness, 161 PIMS last year. A tough forward who can score points, 82 points at Slough, imagine how many he can get on a line with Tony Hand? Bakrlik is the sort of power forward the Phoenix have not had since Kristofferson, the last time we had a power forward? We won the league! So reasons to be hopeful with Bakrlik coming in! 

.....and the big one...... 

Forward - Michal Psurny
'Who's that man from Czech republic......' credit to @cheif41 for the chant! A massive, massive player to come back for the Phoenix. He joins a select band of imports how have been re-signed for another season. Psurny seemed very cool and reserved during the season but really came alive in the playoff push. Psurny ended the season with, by far, his best point production. 89 points from 52 games, if we could get him back it would have been mad not too! Psurny is well loved by the fans and, from his interview, sounded like he loved the Phoenix too. Any time where a player wants to come back you know you have a winner. 

So an excellent start to the recruitment for the Phoenix. Some will point to possible second season syndrome for both players. If second season syndrome means they will only produce what they did last season i'll be happy. That's two 80-90 point scorers for the Phoenix! Me? I think they will do better. If they are paired with Hand on the top line they could both push to 90+ points. If Hand moves down to the second line, each will still do 80 points! 

Great start to the summer hey, Phoenix fans? 

Phoenix Linky

Phoenix rise from the Flames to win Finals weekend!

'The Phoenix had, against the best team in the land, won the final dance of the season'

 

Re-wind about 24 hours and those same fans were filing into the Coventry SkyDome to watch the second semi-final of the day between the Basingstoke Bison and the Manchester Phoenix. Earlier in the day, the league winners, the Guildford Flames, had come through their encounter with the MK Lightning. The Flames did what title winning sides can do, win while not playing their best. Standing in the way of the Phoenix meeting them in Sunday's final were the Basingstoke Bison. A team the Phoenix had only beaten once this season and a team with possibly the league’s best goalie between the pipes.

 

On the flip side, the Phoenix could go into this game with little to lose. Most people in the arena would expect the Bison to win. So there was little expectation for us Phoenix fan's. Personally I thought we had a chance, but a small one. All would depend on the mood of the Bison goalie and what Manchester Phoenix would turn up. A fully fit, for once, Phoenix squad took the ice and took the game to the Bison. Scoring the first goal, I think, surprised a lot of people. The game was a close affair, the Phoenix played some good hockey and the game remained close throughout. After a 5 minute overtime session that produced no goals we went to the lottery of a penalty shootout. At this point I must admit to giving up a little bit. There was no way we could get past Lyle in the Bison goal on penalty shots? Surely? The first round saw each team score twice so extra shooters were needed. Phoenix went first through James Archer, attacking the goal at the far end from us Phoenix fans, James went up ice, deked and as Lyle slid across, time seemed to slow. After what felt like an age the red light went on, we all jumped up and exploded with delight, we knew that the Bison had to score or we were in the final. The Bison player/coach Doug Sheppherd would take the crucial shot. He attacks the goal right in-front of us, comes in, puts a fake on Fone in our goal and lifts the puck...........clang..........the puck hits the plexi behind the goal....no goal....no goal. Phoenix are through to the final and we all went mad!

 

Sunday saw many a sore head come back for the final. The Phoenix second appearance at the final game in as many years. This time, our lads would take on the league winners. Guildford Flames are the big spenders of our hockey league and as a result have strength in depth like no other. We are allowed 4 'import' players, Guildford have 5 and some of the top British players in this country. On paper the Flames have the obvious advantage but, one thing in our favour, the Flames like to play hockey. In games of proper hockey the Phoenix always have a chance! It would be tough but, the Phoenix had a great chance of securing a different outcome to that final 12 months ago.

 

In the run up to the game it was obvious that, every supporter in the arena, bar Guildford fans, wanted the Phoenix to win. 'Anyone but Guildford, anyone but Guildford la laa laa laa' was the chant. Which gave us a great feeling, we had all the support, we just hoped our guys could put on a show now!

 

Against the Guildford Flames, the Phoenix always bring out their best. These games are great adverts for Ice Hockey in this country and the final was no different. From the first puck drop both sides went at the game fast and strong. From the early exchanges the Phoenix were edging the play. Even surprising the Flames are how hard they came playing. To win the trophy the Phoenix really needed to score first and they did, on the power play too! The arena erupted as the Phoenix fans at one end went mad. The teams captain Luke Boothroyd ghosted round the back of the play to be found open for a back post tap in. Great goal! The Phoenix continued to press and forecheck the Flames while not allowing a goal. By the end of the first session the Phoenix were ahead 1-0.

The Phoenix carried on their great form and struck hard in the second period with James Archer scoring a fantastic breakaway effort, then the Phoenix scored a real heart breaker for the Flames. A short handed effort from Barri McKenzie.

Flames needed a quick start to the third and they got it, scoring just 40 seconds into the period. Us Phoenix fans started looking at each other with some nerves hoping this was not the start of a comeback! We needn't have worried! A perfect reply to the Flames goal, the Phoenix scored another shorthanded effort. Tony Hand skating in was passed the puck and, just around the faceoff spot unleashed a howitzer of a slapshot high above Mark Lee (Guildford goalie) right shoulder. In a rare show of emotions from Tony he jumped up into the plexi in front of us. We all knew how big that goal was! To make things even better, Phoenix standout import forward Michal Psurny scored and exact replica of Hand's earlier effort to make it 5-1 Phoenix. This is when we really believed and, despite the Flames pulling a goal back, with the clock running down the team and fans alike began to revel in victory. When the final buzzer went we all went mad. 10 years or the Phoenix, so many times the bridesmaids or the nearly men, the Phoenix had done it and won their first playoff trophy.

 

The feeling after the game and in the pub's after was of shock, after so many years we had actually done it, actually won! We were all just relaxing and smiling. Sad that the 2012/13 EPL season had now ended but, what a way for it to end! I only hope the pictures show how much fun we had!

Thanks must go to Richard Allen, official Phoenix photographer for the pictures!

Phoenix v Bracknell Bees Playoff Quarter Final 31st March Game Review

Well, it's that time of year again! Playoff hockey time! Beards are grown, hotels booked, drinking budget calculated. There's no other time like playoff time. The Phoenix ended their EPL regular season on a bit of a damp squib with two games where big leads were lost. Despite this a playoff quarter final beckoned against the Bracknell Bees. A much more preferable match up than against the Wildcats it has to be said. The Phoenix would face a tough away leg down in Bracknell before returning to the Ice Dome for one last time this season.

The Phoenix could well do a job down in Bracknell but, the main thing, would be to keep the scores close. As Tambo mentioned on the Phoenix podcast, the Bees have conceded on average 3.9 goals a game. Keep the scores tight and the Phoenix will be in with a great shot. So the away leg, from reports, sounded like the Phoenix struggled a little. Steve Fone putting in a man of the match performance as it ended 4-3 to the Bracknell Bees.
One last time the Phoenix faithful descended on the Altrincham Ice Dome, personally, I wasn't worried. Im not too sure why either, the Bees had the lead, Phoenix have struggled defensively but, over 6 periods of hockey we surely had too much fire-power for the Bees. Surely Tony would not allow another lacklustre performance and make sure the Phoenix made it to Coventry?

First Period: Phoenix had to come out and control the game from the first whistle, score the first goal and the aggregate scores are level. Allow the Bees to score and that hill, becomes a little more difficult to overcome. For most of the first period the Phoenix controlled puck possession and camped out in the Bees zone. They did get the first goal with a gorgeous powerplay effort from Flaten, great to see him on the scoreboard as goals have been hard to come by for the Norwegian, goal timed at 12min 33sec. The period progressed and the Phoenix domination continued, Annetts being put under more and more pressure as the Phoenix looked to take the lead. With almost perfect timing they did just that! With just two seconds to go in the period Flaten, again, scored to give the Phoenix the lead overall. A great shot through the five hole with no chance for the Bees to post a reply. 2-0 up on the night after the first period, controlling the game, the perfect start for the Phoenix.

Second Period: With the lead overall now obtained the Phoenix just had to concentrate, control the game and win each period. In some ways this session of 20minutes would decide our playoff fate. Thankfully the team were up-for-it and controlled the puck again for the majority of the period. In the first and now the second period the Phoenix had done well to stay out of the penalty box. With the Bees in penalty trouble the Phoenix got their third of the night. On the powerplay Robert Schnabel took the puck from behind the Phoenix net and started a mazy run up the ice. It seemed like no Bees player was willing or able to stop him and as he breached the zone he unleashed a lovely wrist shot to put the Phoenix up 3-0. The goal coming at 27min 27sec. The Phoenix really took hold of the game when they scored their fourth of the game. Andy McKinnie scoring late on in the period at 29min 58. This was just after a controversial moment in the game. After some pushing and shoving in front of the Phoenix net Spearing paired off with Pozivil goading him into a fight. Both players were in each others faces and Pozivil made a small head-butting motion, no contact was made it has to be said. Spearing sat a 2+10 misconduct while Pozivil was ejected with a 10+match for headbutting. Disappointing for Pozivil, an appeal is on the cards and he will, hopefully, be able to play finals weekend.

Third Period: The third period saw more goals scored, the Bees had to open up and press for goals if they had any hope of reaching Coventry. The Bees made a good start scoring early in the period at 42min 01sec on the powerplay through Bronniman. A shot from Bendik was tipped in by Ollie, a lovely tip in actually! The Phoenix answered back quickly when Schabel got his second of the game at 45min 28sec. Bees got their second goal of the game at 50min 07sec through Smital on the powerplay. The Phoenix, however, hit back and killed off the game with two more goals, both on the powerplay. The Phoenix 6th came at 51min 10 through Luke Boothroyd and the 7th at 57min 04sec through McKinnie's second of the game. The Phoenix running out 7-2 winners and progression to finals weekend.

Verdict: A potentially tricky tie negotiated with some ease in the second leg. A good game for the Phoenix to banish recent defencive troubles and a great weekend for Fone to get back up to match speed. It was disappointing to loose Pozivil, I only hope he can play this weekend. I would hate for his last game of the season to end on such a negative note. In the end it was a commanding performance from the Phoenix and a beautiful rendition of 'Que sera sera, what ever will be will be, were going to Coventry, Que sera sera' rang out round the Ice Dome!

Attendance: Back to a more average crowd for the Phoenix, around 1,100 in.
 
Phoenix 7 Bracknell 2 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 7 Bracknell 2 - Bees Article
Phoenix 7 Bracknell 2 - The Bolton News
Phoenix 7 Bracknell 2 - Cheshire Today

Phoenix v Telford Tigers 24h March Game Review

It's that time of year again, it's rolled around too quick! The end of the 2012/13 EPL season. 53 games have passed and the Phoenix faithful descended on the Ice Dome one more time to see the Phoenix take on the Tigers. The Phoenix just needed one point to secure 3rd place or, hope the MK Lightning lost. this would set up a playoff quarter final series with either the Bees or the Wildcats, depending on how results went. The Phoenix welcomed Steve Fone back onto the ice for his first start in months.

First Period: While their positions in the table are far apart, on the ice, the Tigers play as a much tougher team to beat. They work hard, have a few quality imports and Declan Ryan. Once of the Phoenix, Ryan has become a huge asset to the Tigers and its easy to see why. He can single handily win the Tigers a game and has frustrated the Phoenix on many occasion. Sunday night the key for the Phoenix would be to get through him early. They did just that, at 4min 10sec Psurny scored for the Phoenix. Both sides traded chances, Phoenix possibly having the better of them. Telford would not be kept out all period and, at 14min 02sec equilasied through Thomas Soar. Fone was playing well but, possibly still a little rusty after so long out.

Second Period: 1-1 after the first session the Phoenix took control in the second. Restricting Telford to very few minutes in the Phoenix zone the home team scored 3 un-answered goals. Over the weekend, because of the Phoenix injury woe's the Phoenix had dressed 3 ENL players from the Metro's roster. Jared Dickinson took his opportunity and put the Phoenix ahead at 27min 47sec when he pounced on his own rebound. The Phoenix then scored two goals in quick succession to take hold. Psurny got his second of the game at 30min 05sec and, Chong at 31min 27sec made the scores 4-1 Phoenix.

Third Period: With MK slipping up the Phoenix were nigh on assured of 3rd place. Firday night's game in Sheffield saw the Phoenix blow a 6-3 lead on a 5 min powerplay to Sheffield. The third period would, worrying, see another similar collapse. I don't know what Tom Watkins said in the locker room but it worked. In 2 short minutes right from the first puck drop the Tigers were level and the Phoenix reeling. Soar kicked things off at 41min 08sec, then Crease at 41min 16sec and, to make it 4-4, Karpov at 41min 47sec. A complete turnaround in 39seconds! The home fans just couldn't work out what had happened, where had the Phoenix gone, who were these imposter's on the ice? Tony, was doing his nut on the bench, and rightly so! Blowing big leads against the leagues bottom two clubs is not the form you want to take into the playoffs. The misery was compounded when Rose scored the winner at 58min 19sec. The game ending in a pretty poor loss. 5-4 Telford.

Verdict: Oh dear! For 40 minutes the Phoenix were excellent and ground the Tigers down. The last twenty minutes were terrible! Credit the Tigers for continuing to work hard, and taking their chances. The Tigers fought for this game and the Phoenix didn't. With a big crowd in this was a poor way to end the Phoenix season. I just hope the sting of this result can be used as a springboard into the playoffs.

Attendance: Another good one, I'll guess at 1,700 in the Ice Dome.
 
Phoenix 4 Telford 5 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 4 Telford 5 - Tigers Article
Phoenix 4 Telford 5 - MEN
Phoenix 4 Telford 5 - Cheshire Today

Phoenix v Sheffield Steeldogs 17th March Game Review

As the season wind's down home games are running out for the Phoenix faithful. Sunday saw Payette and his Steeldogs come to town. This game, coming after a heavy loss to the Tigers was a game the Phoenix would have to be back to their best. The Steeldogs don't play hockey so it would be a tough encounter. To make things worse, Psurny was still recovering from an injury and the Phoenix were also without Pozivil who was suffering with illness. Hardly ideal going into a game like this missing half your imports and your starting netminder. 

First Period: The game opened and the Phoenix short bench was evident. Needless to say the Steeldogs came out hard and the Phoenix had to raise their game to match it. The cheap shots, niggly play and questionable tactics we all know and hate from Sheffield were on show. The Phoenix worked hard to deal with it and play as best they could. Clear cut scoring chances were few and far between but Sedlar, in the Sheffield goal, was facing more rubber than Jazzy. Kohorn, the new Ozolins, looked a quality player.....except for the white gloves! Anyway only one goal was scored in the period, the Steeldogs getting it. Bebris broke down the right, held of the Phoenix D man and lifted a back hand over Jazzy's left shoulder. That goal coming at 19min 02sec. 

Second Period: This period would be remembered for one thing, and not the goals! For most in the Ice Dome the officiating was........what shall we say?.....questionable! Phoenix had made a great start to the period by scoring an early goal, Chong ripping a lovely shot at 21min 27sec. Then came the call, after a scrum around Sedlar the players broke free and McKenzie was tripped. After much discussion between the linesman and referee McKinnie was assed a 5+Game for kicking. Needless to say the home fans were in uproar. I know, and accept, I will view games with a Phoenix bias but, I genuinely cannot see how that call was made. There was absolutely no reaction from any player, Phoenix or Sheffield, none at all. Surely if the taboo of kicking was committed, the Sheffield players would be hounding the referee to make the call? I have not had a chance to watch Phoenix TV but those who have say it shows no such kicking happening! So the short benched Phoenix were punished again. Thankfully the Phoenix used this to their advantage and hit the Steeldogs for a couple of goals in quick succession. Richie Bentham scoring at 30min 58sec and then McKenzie at 32min exactly pushed the Phoenix out to 3-1 ahead. Annoyingly the prized little git Greg Wood pulled one back for the Steeldogs at 35min 49sec. While I hate the little bugger with a passion, he is a dogged little guy who gives his all for the team. 

Third Period: The Steeldogs went in search for the game tieing goal in the third period, the Phoenix though, would not allow them in for a clear cut chance. Both teams were showing signs of tiring and the pace of the game began to slow. The Phoenix began to short shift and the short bench really began to tell, at times the bench was so empty it was laughable! The game wore on and in the last minutes Sheffield looked to pull Sedlar. They only got the chance once but could not set up in the Phoenix zone. Phoenix running out 3-2 winners. 

Verdict: Always pleasing to get a win over Sheffield! Now, the officiating, honestly, hand on heart, I never try to criticise the officiating. I always think, if they turned round and said, 'ok you don't think were doing a good job? do it yourself' I try not to criticise as I know I couldn't do it myself. Taking my rose tinted's off, last sundays game against Sheffield, was some of the worst officiating I have ever seen. Not just from the referee, but the linesmen too. Numerous icings were either given or not given while seemingly being exactly the same. Offsides were missed and blatant penalties missed. It is frustrating to see a game ruined by those wearing the stripes. Anway....time to breath.....the Phoenix won! 

Attendance: While not inflated by the groupon offer, the crowd was one of the seasons best. I'd say 1,800 in the Ice Dome. 

Phoenix 3 Sheffield 2 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 3 Sheffield 2 - MEN Article
Phoenix 3 Sheffield 2 - Steeldogs Article

Phoenix v Peterborough Phantoms 9th March Game Review

The Phantoms game saw another sell-out crowd at the Ice Dome, this was the last game valid for the Groupon offer that had been so successful for the club. After the superb win against the Bison the previous weekend the Phoenix had another chance to produce a performance to hook the newbies in the crowd. The Phantoms can prove to be tricky opponents, Phoenix have often struggled down in Peterborough but enjoyed more comfortable games back in Altrincham. Hopefully this would be another good game for the home fans.

First Period: The game got underway with a cracking atmosphere in the Ice Dome, Phoenix went on the offensive right from the off with some good early chances on the Phantoms net. The home fans did not have to wait long, the first goal of the game came from James Archer at 4min exactly. Phoenix had the goal and needed to build, the Phantoms however, are a difficult tricky team to play and got themselves on the board soon after. Lauko continuing his impressive scoring form against the Phoenix by scoring at 9min 02sec. Phoenix hit right back when the top line clicked and the super sniper Psurny added to his goal tally, scoring at 11min 54sec. The period had seen goals so far, the crowd were happy, but the Phantoms just wouldnt go away. Lauko scoring yet again at 14min 38sec on the powerplay to make it 2-2. That's how the period ended, quite an entertaining opener to be fair!

Second Period: Phoenix had to tighten up and help Jazzy out to win this game, and that's exactly what they did. They kept up the pressure but really controlled the area in front of the Phoenix net. Not really allowing the Phantoms much joy in and around the slot. Jazzy was performing very well in goal to deal with any shots that did come through and the mucky stuff around the crease. Phoenix took the lead once again when Pozivil scored a beauty of a goal at 25min 54sec one he really savoured. 10 minuted later Barri McKenzie continued his recent rich vein of scoring when he put the Phoenix two goals clear at 35min 31sec. The final 5 minutes passed with no further goals and, at the second break, the Phoenix led 4-2.

Third Period: Phoenix looked to push on and closeout the game in the final session and they had the game all but won in the first 5 minutes. With the Phoenix on the powerplay McKenzie got another goal at 41min 31sec. Then, less than 3 minutes later Psurny notched another at 44min exactly. The games was done, Phantoms demoralised, when Phoenix bagged number 7 at 44min 52sec when James Archer scored again. The Phantoms called a timeout and Phoenix swapped El-Hage for Jazzy in goal. The final 15 minutes of the game passed with no further goals and little attacking effort from the Phantoms. The Phoenix content to wind down the clock and secure a fine win.

Verdict: Another big crowd, another great performance. While the game wouldn't win any awards for stellar play. The newbies in the crowd will remember the win and seeing lots of goals. Mission accomplished for the Phoenix!

Attendance: As with the Bison, a 2,200 sellout.

Phoenix 7 Phantoms 2 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 7 Phantoms 2 - Phantoms Article
Phoenix 7 Phantoms 2 - The Bolton News
Phoenix 7 Phantoms 2 - MEN
Phoenix 7 Phantoms 2 - Mancunian Matters

Bracknell 4 Phoenix 8 - Phoenix Article