The Phoenix had a rare double home weekend this past saturday/sunday the first half of which served as the EPL Cup first leg against the Guildford Flames. The winner of the tie would go on to face the Sheffield Steeldogs in the two legged final, after they emerged from their double with MK with a single goal scored over their 6 periods of play. The Steeldogs present a tough challenge for either the Phoenix or the Flames but each side had their own 6 period semi-final to play. So far this season the Flames have a 3-2 series lead over the Phoenix and both sides are pretty evenly matched. One thing is for certain, as every game versus Guildford has been, the following 6 periods of hockey will be great adverts for the sport.
First Period: As befitting all previous games between the two clubs the early exchanges were pretty even and played at a fast pace. The Phoenix possibly edging the first session. In a testament to how evenly matched both clubs are and, how important the next 6 periods of play are, neither team could make the breakthrough. Both goaltenders putting in a fine performance keeping the offensive fire-power on the ice quiet. Neither side could create clear cut chances and, possibly, the best chance of the period fell to Andrew Sharp of the Flames. It's possible anyone else would have scored, the puck found Sharp on the far post in acres of space, his tame shot was well saved by Fone's leg pad. Credit to Sharp for finding space though!
Second Period: The second continued where the first left off, both sides playing fast and hard hockey with goaltenders up to the job. The Flames would draw first blood in the scoring stakes when new boy (or old boy really) Jozef Kohut fired the Flames into the lead, scoring at 35min 14sec. The goal didn't not ignite the Flames and the contest remained tight. Both sides creating a number of chances, though few were clear cut. A few off passes by either side just took the shine off a number of moves which, on another day, would have resulted in goals. Equally frustrating was the referee, being totally inconsistent for both teams.
Third Period: This is where the game got going! If the Phoenix are to go through to the final then a close score would be needed. A win would be ideal, but the Phoenix couldn't head south with a deficit. Their record in Guildford this season is not great so history is not on their side. The Phoenix got off to the best possible start by scoring an early goal with Archer continuing his fine form of late with a goal at 43min 19sec. Guildford veteran David Longstaff put the Flames back ahead at 52min 48sec only for Ciaran Long to tie the game less than a minute later. The 2-2 goal coming at 53min 39sec. The period ran out with neither side able to find a leading goal.
Verdict: A great game to watch and one the Flames will be the happier camp. Im sure the Phoenix would have preferred to be taking a lead down to the Spectrum a tie boils it down to a winner takes all game. The Phoenix worked hard and, on balance, deserved a lead, a one goal lead would, probably, have been the fairest result. Credit to Guildford though, they are not at the top of the table for no reason! They work hard and, when passes connect, can be a great team to watch. The Phoenix have the tougher task in the 2nd leg, getting a result in Guildford, but stranger things have happened!
Attendance: A little disappointing for a cup semi-final I have to admit, i'd guess at around 7-800 in the Ice Dome.
Phoenix 2 Guildford 2 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 2 Guildford 2 - Guildford Flames
Phoenix 2 Guildford 2 - CB Sport
Showing posts with label David Longstaff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Longstaff. Show all posts
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Monday, 16 March 2009
Phoenix v Newcastle 15th March Game Review
So the Vipers rolled into Altrincham for the BMI Baby Elite League clash, which for the Phoenix, was the umpteenth game in 2 nights, or so it seems! With Tuesdays 2nd Leg of the CC final looming this was a game, which in my opinion we could have done without!
First Period: So the first period began and as ever when the Vipers come to town it was going to be a tough physical game! As it turned out it was the Vipers who were to have the best of the opening 20 minutes. The first Vipers goal came after only 2min 16 seconds when Derek Campbell came down the right side of the zone and let fly and stonking wrist shot that beat Murphy on his glove side. The Phoenix broke back at4min 42sec through Nathan Ward, assisted by Dunn and Garbutt. The Vipers regained the lead at 8min 47sec through the eternal David Longstaff, slid the puck under Murphy’s pads.
Second Period: With 40mins left in the game I think most Phoenix fans were still hopeful of this game. It was clear, however, that the Phoenix were either holding back or absolutely exhausted as the recent fixture crunch began to take its toll! The Vipers made it 3-1 at 25min 56 sec when Rob Rankin deaked Murphy and again slid the puck under the Phoenix nettie. What amazed me about this goal was, despite the deake Murphy stayed with Rankin and I couldn’t believe it when the goal light was lit!
Third Period: Three goals in this period and sadly an embarrassing scoreline! The Phoenix began brightly and after 47min 45sec MOM (in my eyes) Bruce Mulherin made it 3-2. Any hope of a recovery was killed off in a frenetic 18 second spell. Ben Campbell got the Vipers 4th at 49min 34sec and Ed (Big Nose) Courtney got the 5th at 49min 52sec.
Verdict: Pretty depressing really and a little worrying. The Phoenix were second best all night, the Vipers looked fresh and very quick! This result could have been predicted as the Phoenix are playing a crazy schedule at the moment. I had thought that the Phoenix performance was more the team holding back for the CC Final 2nd leg on Tuesday. But as I think back to it now, it was probably more exhaustion! What worry’s me know is the recovery time, the boys only have one free day where as the Giants will have had two!
Attendance: OK tonight, probably around 1,200 in.
Phoenix TV Highlights:
MEN Article
So that’s it really, pretty depressing but hey ho, the Vipers can’t catch us, we (probably) wont catch Cardiff. So 6th place it is and as I post a playoff game against the Panthers! At least it wont mean the 50th game against the Giants in a month!
I have a couple of posts on the go or due to get going, a recent post on the Phoenix forum regarding attendances has prompted me to write another post, sort of re-visiting my earlier rant here (link to well supported post). Plus my own post on finals weekend and the various ways to keep up to date.
Finally, you may have noticed the dates for the two legged Knockout Cup Final against the Giants have been agreed and published. If you have read the Phoenix forums you will be aware of the farcical nature of the dates. I had planned to post a quick comment regarding this on today’s game review. However that small post has become a rant in its own right, and one that has been toned down about 4 times to make it family friendly! Anyway ill hopefully have that online tomorrow night!
First Period: So the first period began and as ever when the Vipers come to town it was going to be a tough physical game! As it turned out it was the Vipers who were to have the best of the opening 20 minutes. The first Vipers goal came after only 2min 16 seconds when Derek Campbell came down the right side of the zone and let fly and stonking wrist shot that beat Murphy on his glove side. The Phoenix broke back at4min 42sec through Nathan Ward, assisted by Dunn and Garbutt. The Vipers regained the lead at 8min 47sec through the eternal David Longstaff, slid the puck under Murphy’s pads.
Second Period: With 40mins left in the game I think most Phoenix fans were still hopeful of this game. It was clear, however, that the Phoenix were either holding back or absolutely exhausted as the recent fixture crunch began to take its toll! The Vipers made it 3-1 at 25min 56 sec when Rob Rankin deaked Murphy and again slid the puck under the Phoenix nettie. What amazed me about this goal was, despite the deake Murphy stayed with Rankin and I couldn’t believe it when the goal light was lit!
Third Period: Three goals in this period and sadly an embarrassing scoreline! The Phoenix began brightly and after 47min 45sec MOM (in my eyes) Bruce Mulherin made it 3-2. Any hope of a recovery was killed off in a frenetic 18 second spell. Ben Campbell got the Vipers 4th at 49min 34sec and Ed (Big Nose) Courtney got the 5th at 49min 52sec.
Verdict: Pretty depressing really and a little worrying. The Phoenix were second best all night, the Vipers looked fresh and very quick! This result could have been predicted as the Phoenix are playing a crazy schedule at the moment. I had thought that the Phoenix performance was more the team holding back for the CC Final 2nd leg on Tuesday. But as I think back to it now, it was probably more exhaustion! What worry’s me know is the recovery time, the boys only have one free day where as the Giants will have had two!
Attendance: OK tonight, probably around 1,200 in.
Phoenix TV Highlights:
MEN Article
So that’s it really, pretty depressing but hey ho, the Vipers can’t catch us, we (probably) wont catch Cardiff. So 6th place it is and as I post a playoff game against the Panthers! At least it wont mean the 50th game against the Giants in a month!
I have a couple of posts on the go or due to get going, a recent post on the Phoenix forum regarding attendances has prompted me to write another post, sort of re-visiting my earlier rant here (link to well supported post). Plus my own post on finals weekend and the various ways to keep up to date.
Finally, you may have noticed the dates for the two legged Knockout Cup Final against the Giants have been agreed and published. If you have read the Phoenix forums you will be aware of the farcical nature of the dates. I had planned to post a quick comment regarding this on today’s game review. However that small post has become a rant in its own right, and one that has been toned down about 4 times to make it family friendly! Anyway ill hopefully have that online tomorrow night!
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