The week in review

So, a busy week for us Phoenix fans, with 3 home ties in the space of 5 days.

And it was pretty successful too, 2 wins in league action, giving us an important 4 points in the battle for 5th place with Cardiff, and a 1 goal advantage in the CC Cup final to take to Belfast.

Of course, it wasn't all good. As is becoming oh so familiar, in 2 of the 3 games, despite taking the victories, the standard of reffering (and seeming bias) was shocking. Marco Coenen and Dean Smith are easily the poorest pair of refs we have in the EIHL.

Lets start with Mr Coenen. On Thursday night, with the Sky cameras in attendance, he gave a masterclass in 'how to piss people off and alienate them', by simply refusing to call the visiting Edinburgh team on any penalties until he himself was knocked on his arse by one of their reckless challenges by the boards. This happened 38 minutes into the game. Easily the longest I have ever seen any team play 'clean' hockey. Indeed, so offeneded were some of the (few) Phoenix Phaithful who were in attendance, he had to be escorted off the ice during the intervals (allegedly, I didn't see this). I honestly thought that this was the most inept display of officiating I had ever seen, or was likely to see again. Boy, was I wrong.

Enter Dean Smith. Probably the least experienced of the EIHL refs this season, and already proven to be unable to control a physical game (see the last game at Alty vs the Vipers for evidence of that), Mr Smith put on an absolute masterclass in bottling major calls, and blatant ineptitude.

Lets look at the 3 most heinous incidents from Sunday then:

1: The Phoenix have just gone 4-0 up in the 2nd period. Nathan Ward and George Awada chase the puck into the Phoenix zone, with Dean Smith looking directly at them. Awada proceeds to punch Ward very obviously in the face, and goes on to score. Smith does nothing, despite looking right at it.

2: Belfasts 3rd goal comes from a face off which was caused by a Giants player very clearly scooping the puck over the plexi. A straight 2 mins for delay of game, right? Nope, to the amazement of both sets of players, Smith simply signals for a face off.

3: Phillips cross checks Fulghum into the boards, which caused Tony Hand of all people to try and get at him. Another no call.

He also decide don a numbe rof occasions to send players from both sides th the box for incidents which would have required a 'one way or the other' decision, thus avoiding any tricky calls, and potential back-chat.

Being honest, I'm sure Smith is a nice guy, and he does show potential, but to be sent to ref a 'showpiece' event (CC Final 1st Leg)... nah, a game like that, espcially given the intensity it was always likely to be played at, required, nay demanded a Carson or a Hanson. Someone with the balls and authority to make tough calls, and stick to them.

Anyways, the good things were that in all 3 games, the boys looked great. Especially the Belfast game, where they were all hitting anything in a Belfast jersey with real intent and passion.

And apologies to the Belfast fan who I had a short debate with after the game. Adrenaline and passion make fools of us all, and I did not mean to be so rude. I humbly apologise.

Bring on the 2nd leg and the KO Cup Final!