My heart can't take much more of this..... and its only mid-October!

So, the Phoenix took the points on Sunday from the visiting Milton Keynes Lightning, but as is fast becoming the norm, we did it the hard way. In fact, we probably did it the hardest way of all, requiring not just overtime, but penalty shots too!

To say many of the faithful were shitting a brick would probably count as a factual statement during those five or so minutes it took to enact the shootout. The game beforehand wasn't exactly a relaxing experience either....

The game started, and was played in much the same manner as previous meetings with the Lightning. That is to say it was fast, furious, balls to the wall hockey time! The Phoenix took the early advantage when young Andy McKinney placed the puck past Mettam, after barely 5 minutes of play. Within 4 minutes however, things took an ill turn as Ciaran Long was assessed as match penalty for checking to the head after a solid hit on Dan Harris left the Lightning player prone on the ice. The vast majority of fans felt that the ref called the injury, not the hit as he did not call the penalty immediately, but only after it was appernet Harris was hurt. Ciaran to his credit immediatley checked on Harris as soon as he realised he had hurt him, but this was not enough to placate one of the Lightnings resident goons, a very pissed off Grant McPherson, who rapidly found himself on the end of a solid beat down from Phoenix goalscorer McKinney, who landed some beautiful punches before scoring the takedown with ease. McPherson had a repuataion for being one of the leagues togher guys, but on this showing he looked, well, piss poor really. Both men were assessed a 2+2 for roughing (picking up a fighting major is harder than picking up a virgin on a Saturday night in Manchester in the EPIHL these days), with an additional 10 minute instigator call on McPhear-ful.

The net result was a 5 minute power play for the Lightning, which they failed to capitalise on. Period end, and the score was 1-0 to the Phoenix.

The dreaded 2nd period slump surfaced once more after the break and midway through the period the Lightning tied the game up with a well worked move which culminated in a goal for Leigh Jamieson (who is somehow on the GB roster for the Olympic qualifiers. How a player like him makes the squad but Tom Duggan doesn't is beyond me). Speaking of Jamieson, he was skating on a fine line all evening, often goin into check near the board with his lead elbow at head height. Why he wasn't called on this I don't know, but it looked beyond dangerous to me. The period ended all square, and set up what was usre to be an eventful 3rd period of play.

The Phoenix stepped it ip for the 3rd, and were duly rewarded for their efforts when Andy McKinney scored a peach of a goal to give the Phoenix the 2-1 lead. Sadly, the Lightning tied the score once more with barely 5 minutes remaining, and both sides spurrned opportunities to win it, as the tension rose in the stands.

Overtime was a blur as both side played as fast and hard as possible, but the dreaded penatly shots were required. Fuuuuuuuck! The only shot scored was the first one with Michal Psurny slotting home, as Steve Fone blanked the Lightning trio to secure the 2 points. Needless to say I was very fucking relieved.

Seriously, if this is to be the pattern for the season, then I really do think I'm going to have some kind of episode. The tension was so much that a few naughty words slipped out of my mouth (quietly though, and nothing too rude. The odd 'oh shit' here and there). Thank fuck for the relaxing effect of beer. Without a post match brew, I don't think my wife could have coped with me.

I have to say as well, the comedy moment of the night came when another goon from down south, Chris Biggins, sorry Wigggins gobbed off to big Rob Schnabel, then promptly shit himself when he realised Schnabel was more than willing to have a 'dance' with him. Indeed, the smell of fear was palpable, even from my vantage point some 30-odd metres away.

And, finally, it appears that with the NHL lockout in full swing, our lil' old club has been 'adopted' by the fans of the Phoenix Coyotes. So, to any of them reading this, thank you and enjoy!

See y'all on Sunday!

Flames doused!

I would never expect the Phoenix to take a 4 point weekend from the Guildford Flames. As the 2 sides most would expect to be battling it out for the title, splitting the points over a weekend of back to back games would most likely be the norm.

Not this time.

Not contnent with travelling down to Guildford on Saturday and beating them in their own barn, the Phoenix only went and fucking did it again the following night in front of the Faithful at the Ice Dome.

OK, as is fast becoming the norm we didn't exactly do it the easy way, requiring a winner in OT after the Flames tied the scores with barely a minute left on the clock, but fuck me sideways it was exciting to watch. Sure, we are not the free flowing side of yore, but the shot count is steadily rising, and the team are showing some real balls out there on the ice. There were some handbags early on after form Phoenix player Curtis Huppe decided to get a little too cheeky behind the Phoenix goal, and it did look for a while that Guildford constant use of elbows and holding was going to cause the officials to lose control of the game entirely. Seriously, it has been many, many moons since I saw so much blatant cheating from a side coming to the Ice Dome. In fact, the last time I did, it was the Flames old netminder, with his kicking the nets of the moorings and diva-esque reactions.

It seems to me that the standard of officiating is going backwards this season. I'm sure a lot of this is down to the EIHAs efforts to bring younger refs and linos up from th ENIHL and junior ranks, but they should always be paired with an experienced set of officials too. Some of the officiating we have seen thus far has been so shit it almost beggars belief. You know that the standard is poor when you bitch and moan about it even when your own team have won the game.

Anyways, onwards and upwards! Dissapointed we lost to the Beavers, sorry Bison, last night but we have the Lightning at the DOme tonight who certainly don't seem to be the side they have been in previous seasons, so it should be an interesting one to say the least.

See you at the Dome (or the pub... your call).

Grand Larceny.

Thats the only way to describe Sundays win.

We stole it, pure and simple. We put together about 5 minutes of truly excellent hockey, which was enough to secure both points. It made for a highly nervous time up in the stands, where I'm sure a few bricks were shitted, and expletives uttered (I know I let a few slip. Imagine it, me, swearing? Who would have ever fucking thought I would use such vile words...Ooops.).

As is usual for us, having not played on the Saturday seemed to leave the team looking a bit out of sorts during the early phases of the game, and truthfully, we didn't look like the team that was going to take the points initially. However, the Phoenix are finding ways to win dirty this year, rather than the expected flowing, free scoring hockey we have become accustomed to. We are now seeing some tough, gritty, no bullshit hockey, which hopefully come play off time will pay dividends.

The only real issues I have with what we see on ice at the minute is the standard of officiating. I know that the EIHA are trying to bring new, young refs and linos up to EPL standard, but sweet jesus, they need better support. the standard of icing calls last weekend (or the lack thereof) was piss poor to be honest. Far too often clear icing calls were waved off, then almost straight away afterwards, a borderline or non existant call was made at the opposite end of the ice.

Other than that, I was deeply impressed with last nights road win against Guildord, who seem to be having an absolute mare of a start to the season.

And over the next few weeks you all will be seeing a lot more of my handsome visage down at the ice Dome. After the recent photo session for the volunteer staff, my picture will be popping up in the program, and possibly even on the screens! After that no one will be able to say they don't know who I am..... stage one of my plan for world domination begins....oops! Shouldn't have said that out loud. Forget you ever read it......

Tis an improvement...

So, our first 4 point weekend of the season. I highly doubt it will stop some folks from complaining about this years team, but based on the 'what are your expectations' thread on the official forum, not winning the league, cup, and playoffs will somehow be a 'failure'.

Please.

Just because we have had a successful couple of seasons, it does not follow that we should expect to win everything. Shit, we are not Guildford! Hehehehehehehehehe


Anyways, Sundays game was pretty exciting. We got a fight (big ups to James Archer. He might have lost, but he showed some balls), some goals, a bit of controversy (more on this in a moment), and most importantly a win!

So, controversy... Well, first up was the 'goal that wasn't'. Almost everyone thought that the Phoenix had scored in the 2nd period, except for the goal judge and Ref. There are even claims the there is photographic evidence to corroborate this fact, but until I see it.... Then there was Ciarans mid ice hit which drew a 2+10. Please. It was a perfectly good mid ice hit. The on;ly reason Tottman gave the penalty was thanks to the Swindon player not having his helmet secured which caused it to fly up into the air and land a good few feet away. Poorly applied equipment should never, EVER influence a call.

Thyen Swindon had a goal washed out for man in the crease. The controversy was that they tried to dispute it... when the man wasn't so much 'in the crease' as 'straddling the netminder and trying to hump his leg like a horny dog'. Thankfully Tottman got this one right.

And on the subject of Joy Tottman, I hope the muppet who shouted 'get back in the kitchen' at her is proud of themselves. I might curse up a blue streak on here, but there are some things people should just keep to themselves. Moronic pronouncements like that certainly fall into that category. We don't live in the 1950s, or Stepford indeed, and there is no place for such mysoginistic attitudes at the rink.

And thats it for now. And hardly any profanity. Fuck Yes!

Ah, fuck.... blew that one....Fuck!