That was an interesting couple of weeks...

So, I'm sat here, listening to KISS playing very fucking loudly (screw the neighbours, I wanna rock dammit!), drinking a fresh mug of coffee, ruminating on the events of the past couple of weeks.

Interesting doesn't even begin to cover it.

My 'Getting it off my chest' blog certainly stoke the fires somewhat, eliciting reactions I never expected. For sure, I thought some folks would disagree with my take on the situation, but not quite as vehemently as was the case. Having said that, I guess if you are willing (or dumb enough) to stick your head above the parapet then you have to live with the prospect of upsetting people. Certainly, I was very angry for a good few days afterwards, but common sense prevailed, and I have now filed it away as an interesting experience.

Beyond that, we managed to have 3 very exciting games at the Ice Dome over the past 2 weekends as well. Whilst I missed what was by all accounts a stunning attempt to overturn the 1st leg deficit against the Flames, I certainly managed to see 2 displays myself which certainly bode well for the Play Offs. The Bison were turned over in style, as Stevie Lyle finally cracked in the Dome. You could say we left him with ravaged and sore 5-hole....

Then the Phantoms were dispatched with an almost nonchalant ease, the scoreline underlining just how dominant the boys were.

But there was something even better about those 2 games.

The crowd.

Thanks to a timely bit of marketing through online discount specialist 'Groupon', the Phoenix managed not just 1, but 2 sell out games! Yes, I know, there were a few empty seats here and there, but both games had enough tickets sold/allocated to class as sell out crowds. And it was brilliant. Noisy, excited, and frankly different. If we could get close to those crowd numbers every week, I'd be more than happy, and we most certainly then would have the fiscal muscle to compete with Guildford. Shit, we had to lock people out on Saturday! (And I was lucky. I barely made it inside before the doors were shut, after enduring the absolute worst of Manchesters public transport system alongside a visiting group of some 40 Girl guides) So not just a sell out, but a lock out too!

Yes, there were problems, but it was a learning curve for everyone involved. I'm confident that next time such a situation arises, then the little niggles will be ironed out, and a silky smooth experience will be had by all.

Hopefully a good number of those who took advantage of the Groupon offer will return, which naturally bodes well for the club going forwards.

See you at the rink!