Campbell returns....

Didn't quite see this one coming. After being released by the Steeldogs Derek Campbell has pitched up here in Mancland for a 2nd stint in the Phoenix jersey. I personally thought he was on his way back to Hull in the EIHL, but I guess Coach Hand felt he could use Soupys grit over the Xmas/New Year period to cope with an apparent injury crisis (word has reached me that a number of the side are carrying knocks at the minute).

Sure, some folks seem to have got it into their heads that Coach Hand has lost his marbles with this signing, but he is way more likely to get the best out of Soupy than Good old Donkey Payette has on the wrong side of the hills. Soupy isn't going to blitz you 100+ points a season a la Kristofferson, but he will crash the net, and cause all kinds of problems for most of the league d-men. This could prove to be an inspired pick up.

Beyond that.....


I'm not attending the game tonight. I've got a reasonably serious back problem (scoliosis), and its giving me all kinds of merry hell at the minute. As such I'm taking my time getting better, and won't be at the Dome til Sunday. Which is shit.

Better late than never.....

OK, so I should have written this up last week, but a wee small thing called 'life' got in the way.

Anyways.... That game just played against Milton Keynes Lightning was quite comfortably the bet I have seen in the Ice Dome this season by some margin. Despite missing big Schnabel in the D, the boys took the game to the visitors. Hits were laid, shots taken, and the fans (those who showed up, fucking Manchester derby) were thoroughly entertained.

And what about young Jorge El Hage? 2 games as a starter, 2 wins, and a maiden shut-out. Yes, the D worked their collective bollocks off to protect him, but when the wall of Phoenix was breeched, he stood tall, and looked mighty impressive. I wouldn't go as far as some who seem to think we now have 2 genuine starting quality netminders, but El Hage is certainly well on the road to being one himself in the near future. There was always a worry that if Foney was hurt, then we would need to bring in a 'ringer', but I am firmly of the belief that this would now no longer be required.

So, what else?

Oh yes, the business of returning to the EIHL surfaced on the official forum this past week. Call it an annual airing if you like. My st`b +{^ 7%:br />
FUCK RIGHT OFF!

Or, being rather politer and much more erudite:

Returning to the EIHL, and t8m 5 ryss that beckons from therein is quite possibly the worst thing the club could do at this time. Sure, we could go back and join Hull, Dundee, and Edinburgh in the mire of the bottom 4 by sticking to a reasonable budget and trusting in low cost imports from Europe, but would we enjoy that? I doubt it very much. Or we could go in and dig ourselves another elephantine hole financially by trying to compete with the mid table sides like we did before, which frankly makes as much sense as a chocolate fire-guard.

As it is, we are sustainable in the EPL. Crowds are good, the team is largely successful on the ice, and we are beginning to develop into a 'powerhouse' of the league. Yes, we are a tad expensive compared to some of our rivals, but unlike some we don't have a multi millionaire owner to bankroll things, or play in council owned facilities for no or nominal rent.