After such a poor weekend against the Tigers the Phoenix really needed a strong weekend to bounce back and keep pace with the clubs above them in the EPL table. The weekend that gave them that opportunity was another tough one, away to the Sheffield Steeldogs and then home to the Basingstoke Bison. Going into the weekend the Phoenix were dealt a blow, Corson-Heron, we know, was already sidelined for an extended period of time with a broken collarbone but now, captain Luke Boothroyd was ruled out with a broken wrist. We all know the Phoenix operate with a short bench, take two players out of the lineup and that short bench is looking worryingly thin!
Even so, the guys are professional about things and will always put the effort in!
Sheffield 4 Phoenix 3 OT - Phoenix Article
Sheffield 4 Phoenix 3 OT - Sheffield Article
Saturday's away game to Sheffield saw a typically physical affair, in the end the Steeldogs taking the game in overtime. Given our current squad and level of play, im happy taking a point from an away game in Sheffield! That left sunday night's joust with the Bison who, the Phoenix demolished in their last trip north. Would it happen again? Coming into the game, Phoenix as mentioned had an OT loss to Sheffield, the Bison came into the game after a superb OT win against league leaders Telford Tigers. Advantage Bison perhaps?
First Period: As mentioned many times on here and on the podcast, Bison/Phoenix games are always close and keenly fought. The game opened and, after just 18sec the home side thought they had the lead. A quick circle round the net and the puck was in, so said the referee....but wait.....after a long discussion the goal was ruled out. Despite this setback the Phoenix worked hard and made sure the Bison knew they were in for a tough night. Highlight of the first period was a huge hit on Muzzy Wales by Ben Wood. Brilliant check! Phoenix were first to take a penalty and the Bison would make them pay. At 7min 12sec Melachrino scored a superb effort to put the visitors ahead. The first period began to get away from the home side a little after this point. Thanks to some great forechecking the Bison forced Phoenix into a mistake. On the puck Ben Wood tried to wrap the puck around behind the Phoenix net to clear. It didn't make it, was picked up by Dough Sheppard who scored to double the Bison lead at 11min 56sec. The period ended with no further goals and the Bison in the ascendancy!
Second Period: The proverbial rocket was needed for the Phoenix to get back into the game. They began to take control when Robin Kovar scored on the PowerPlay at 26min 18sec. That goal lifted the home side and the Phoenix began to battle, this created a good game with both teams working hard. Bison forced Fone into some excellent saves before picking up a powerplay, with the delayed penalty and extra skater the Phoenix levelled the game. Thompson was found with the puck and then raced up the ice and scored a superb solo effort just 4 sec before the period buzzer. An excellent time to score!
Third Period: So one session to go and scores all tied! Again the play was even until the half way mark. Perhaps harshly, Jack Watkins was called for kneeing and, on the ensuing powerplay, Bison re-took the lead. Karpov scoring at 50min 20sec. Bison got into penalty trouble themselves and, it would be another powerplay goal for the Phoenix. Shaun Thompson getting his second of the night at 57min 31sec. That would be how regulation ended, scores tied 3-3.
Overtime/Penalty Shots: No goals followed in the extra 5 minutes so the game went to the dreaded penalty shots. After the first two rounds the scores were level at 1-1, Archer for the Phoenix and Long for the Bison. Karpov took the Bison 3rd penalty and could not convert setting up Adam Walker for the winner. He made no mistake to secure the extra point for the Phoenix.
Verdict: A competitive game with ebb's and flows, the Phoenix will be delighted to finish the weekend with 3 points. The only worry for me is the short bench, neither Corson-Heron or Boothroyd will be back soo, a big effort is needed now from those healthy bodies left.
Attendance: Around 900 in the Ice Dome.
Phoenix 4 Bison 3 APS - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 4 Bison 3 APS - Bison Article
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Showing posts with label Doug Sheppard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doug Sheppard. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Friday, 29 November 2013
Phoenix v Basingstoke Bison 24th November
Just the one game over last weekend for the Phoenix, the Bison were the visitors to Altrincham. Sans Lyle the Bison are still challenging at the top of the EPL table. Heading into the game against the Phoenix, the Bison had gone two games without conceding a goal. Quite an impressive record and, perhaps, a return to the defensive strength we came to know last season?
With no game saturday for the home side the Phoenix should be fully rested, the Bison came into the game after hammering the Phantoms 6-0. Should be a good un then?
First Period: The first target, for home fans, was not to conceded early goals. Thankfully, the Phoenix didn't! The home side quickly asserted their dominance, they looked to nullify the Bison's physical threat and that seemed to stop most of the Bison threat. Even in the early stages it was obvious the Phoenix had started brightly and it would take a big effort from the visitors to take anything from the game. Skinns was performing very well in goal and Fone was turning aside anything the Bison had to offer. The first goal did come for the home side, what a goal it was too! Frantisek Bakrlik took the puck around the point and unleashed a mighty shot which found Skinns five hole. It was such a strong shot I immediately though of Jeremy Clarkson and his 'poooweeeeerrrrrr' phrase, totally apt in this case! The first goal coming at 13min 33sec, the advantage was extended 4 minutes later when Bakrlik got his second at 17min 33sec.
Second Period: So, 2-0 Phoenix and the home side looking relatively un-troubled for the first session. Bison had to do something and, up the physical play to try and nock the Phoenix from their stride. The Phoenix made a quick start to the second period when James Archer put the home side 3-0 up at 21min 20sec. A quick re-group for the visitors? Through the second period it did not look like the Bison had changed or been able to change their play. The Phoenix were then hit with a couple of penalties in quick succession, the home side were outstanding in their penalty kill. Giving the Bison absolutely nothing! The Phoenix also scored a lovely short handed goal during this time. A quick break saw Tony Hand skating up the right wing with James Archer busting a gut on the left wing to create a chance. A gorgeous floated cross ice pass from Hand found Archer free at the back post to light the lamp. The SHG coming at 36min 01sec. The dominance continued and, in the dying seconds of the period, the Phoenix added a 5th goal. Timed at 39min 28sec Frantisek Bakrlik got his hattrick goal.
Third Period: With the home side 5 goals ahead the third period was not as intense. It almost seemed like both sides had accepted the result and just wanted to get through to the end. There was still no major fight back from the Bison, I had expected my chippy/rough play in the third in an effort to get something going. The Phoenix added a 6th goal at 57min 24sec when Psurny got his reward for another good performance. The Phoenix now had about 2 minutes to try and get Fone a SO. It was looking good until the 1 minute to go mark. The Bison finally got some pressure on the Phoenix goal and managed to get Fone moving post to post. Doug Sheppard was found on the back post and, his shot was almost saved by Fone, but looped agonizingly slowly over the Phoenix goalie into the corner of the net. The Bison goal coming at 58min 56sec.
Verdict: I must admit, I was disappointing with the Bison performance. There is alot more to their play than they showed sunday night, the Bison have schooled the Phoenix in Altrincham before but this was far from it. I think too many players had off nights or just were not there. I was also surprised they did not get more physical during the game. Many teams have found when they nock the Phoenix around, it disrupts their rhythm and frustrates them. Perhaps it was the long bus ride, perhaps the Phoenix were just fresher but, it was a dominating display from the home side! Play like that for the rest of the season and we will be challenging for that title sure enough!
Attendance: A good crowd for the game, i'll say 1,100 in the Ice Dome.
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - MEN Article
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - Bison Article
Also for your audio pleasure, the third EPL hockey podcast.
With no game saturday for the home side the Phoenix should be fully rested, the Bison came into the game after hammering the Phantoms 6-0. Should be a good un then?
First Period: The first target, for home fans, was not to conceded early goals. Thankfully, the Phoenix didn't! The home side quickly asserted their dominance, they looked to nullify the Bison's physical threat and that seemed to stop most of the Bison threat. Even in the early stages it was obvious the Phoenix had started brightly and it would take a big effort from the visitors to take anything from the game. Skinns was performing very well in goal and Fone was turning aside anything the Bison had to offer. The first goal did come for the home side, what a goal it was too! Frantisek Bakrlik took the puck around the point and unleashed a mighty shot which found Skinns five hole. It was such a strong shot I immediately though of Jeremy Clarkson and his 'poooweeeeerrrrrr' phrase, totally apt in this case! The first goal coming at 13min 33sec, the advantage was extended 4 minutes later when Bakrlik got his second at 17min 33sec.
Second Period: So, 2-0 Phoenix and the home side looking relatively un-troubled for the first session. Bison had to do something and, up the physical play to try and nock the Phoenix from their stride. The Phoenix made a quick start to the second period when James Archer put the home side 3-0 up at 21min 20sec. A quick re-group for the visitors? Through the second period it did not look like the Bison had changed or been able to change their play. The Phoenix were then hit with a couple of penalties in quick succession, the home side were outstanding in their penalty kill. Giving the Bison absolutely nothing! The Phoenix also scored a lovely short handed goal during this time. A quick break saw Tony Hand skating up the right wing with James Archer busting a gut on the left wing to create a chance. A gorgeous floated cross ice pass from Hand found Archer free at the back post to light the lamp. The SHG coming at 36min 01sec. The dominance continued and, in the dying seconds of the period, the Phoenix added a 5th goal. Timed at 39min 28sec Frantisek Bakrlik got his hattrick goal.
Third Period: With the home side 5 goals ahead the third period was not as intense. It almost seemed like both sides had accepted the result and just wanted to get through to the end. There was still no major fight back from the Bison, I had expected my chippy/rough play in the third in an effort to get something going. The Phoenix added a 6th goal at 57min 24sec when Psurny got his reward for another good performance. The Phoenix now had about 2 minutes to try and get Fone a SO. It was looking good until the 1 minute to go mark. The Bison finally got some pressure on the Phoenix goal and managed to get Fone moving post to post. Doug Sheppard was found on the back post and, his shot was almost saved by Fone, but looped agonizingly slowly over the Phoenix goalie into the corner of the net. The Bison goal coming at 58min 56sec.
Verdict: I must admit, I was disappointing with the Bison performance. There is alot more to their play than they showed sunday night, the Bison have schooled the Phoenix in Altrincham before but this was far from it. I think too many players had off nights or just were not there. I was also surprised they did not get more physical during the game. Many teams have found when they nock the Phoenix around, it disrupts their rhythm and frustrates them. Perhaps it was the long bus ride, perhaps the Phoenix were just fresher but, it was a dominating display from the home side! Play like that for the rest of the season and we will be challenging for that title sure enough!
Attendance: A good crowd for the game, i'll say 1,100 in the Ice Dome.
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - Phoenix Article
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - MEN Article
Phoenix 6 Bison 1 - Bison Article
Also for your audio pleasure, the third EPL hockey podcast.
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