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
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