Four point weekend for the Under-14s

Wednesday, 18th April 2007

With summer temperatures hitting the Altrincham Ice Dome in mid April, the Phoenix U-14s were faced with two 5-0 forfeits on Saturday morning with the rink looking more like a giant paddling pool. Strenuous and succesfull efforts by the gallant Junior Management team managed, at late notice, to secure ice time at Deeside so the youngsters could play and not forfeit any points as they push for a promotion playoff place.

Game 11 on Saturday saw the Nottingham Ice Cats re-arrange their travel to Deeside in the return fixture of three weeks ago when Phoenix won 4-0 in the NIC. Phoenix started with Bob Browne in goal. With Nottingham icing a slightly stronger team, the game was tight up until 9:10 when Josh Sweet assisted on a Jared Dickinson goal to bring some relief to the Phoenix bench. Sweet at 10:31 then took a charging penalty which the 'home' team dealt with efficiently. The period closed out 1-0 and the Cats had failed to get a shot on goal.

Nottingham came out flying in the second and at 21:21 tied the game with a scramble around Bob Browne's goal and Jodie Leigh-Bloom forced home the puck through a crowded crease. Within two minutes of the visitors goal, Taylor Danson slotted home to give Phoenix a 2-1 lead. At 26:50, Sam Heyes took over from Bob Browne in goal for the remainder of the game. The period was played out very tightly as Bannon took two minors for Elbows in the last six minutes of the period.

Into the third and a well worked goal by Scott Robson and Jake O'Connor sees Joe Sims convert for 3-1 at 35:17. Phoenix increased the pressure on the Ice Cats goal and made it a three-goal lead 40:03 when a high stick by Sarah Hutchinson is waved off and Sam Heyes passed to Ryan Hulme who skated deepinto Ice Cats territory before firing a rasping slapshot past Finney. Phoenix continued to dominate the play and the game, however in the final seconds Sam Gospel grabbed a consolation second for the visitors.

Final score; Phoenix 4 - 2 Ice Cats

Period scores: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1

Joe Sims 1+0
Jared Dickinson 1+0
Taylor Danson 1+0
Ryan Hulme 1+0
Jake O'Connor 0+1
Scott Robson 0+1
Josh Sweet 0+1
Sam Heyes 0+1

SOGs:
On Phoenix 18 (on Bob Browne 9 and on Sam Heyes 9)
On Nottingham 28

PIMs: 6-4

MVP Taylor Danson

Sunday tea time saw Solihull as the visitors to the Deeside Rink. Sam Heyes began in goal and the Phoenix quickly got to work, camping in the Flames zone. Just before the three minute mark, Joe Sims found Jared Dickinson to fire home his 13th of the season for shorthanded opening goal. Somewhat against the run of play, Solihull forced a turn over and Smith tied the game 1-1 at 7:11. Phoenix immediately bounced back and Ollie Townsend claimed the assist on Shannon Lingwoods' 11th goal of the season at 7:56. Shortly before the break, Jordan Bannon crashed an unstoppable slapshot high into the Flames goal for 3-1.

Phoenix continued to take the game to the visitors in the second going on to add three more goals. Jared Dickinson assisted on Bannon's second of the game at 24:20. Sam and Bob Browne split the netminding spot midway through the second period while the Flames chose to step up their physical style of play with lots of late, high and at times clumsy hits to the more skilful Phoenix team. At 25:38, sheer determination saw Jake O'Connor net on his own rebound for 5-1. Then at 27:13 with Cunniam sitting a minor for Slashing, Jordan Bannon went coast-to-coast to score a well taken goal for 6-1 and complete a fine hat trick. Phoenix were well in control at the second interval and looking to increase their lead in the final 15 minute session.

Solihull came out for the third period hungrier than the home team and again stepped up their physical play. Phoenix become rattled with late hits and high elbow challenges that went unpunished and as so often happens, the team that retaliates ends up taking needless penalties. As Phoenix ran into penalty trouble mid period, Solihull scored two quick powerplay goals by the fiery Larose assisted by Larkin. Despite a timeout by Coach Nurse to calm the players down at 37:09, Phoenix continued to fall foul of the officiating while the instigators escaped punishment. The nett result was a 2-0 lost period, nbut that did not undo the good work of the first thirty minutes and the 6-3 final score moved Phoenix into third place in the league with four games in hand on second place Sheffield.

Final Score: Phoenix 6 - 3 Flames

Period Scores: 3-1, 3-0, 0-2

Jordan Bannon 3+0
Jake O'Connor 1+0
Ryan Hulme 1+0
Shannon Lingwood 1+0
Jared Dickinson 0+1
Joe Sims 0+1
Oliver Townsend 0+1

SOGs:

On Phoenix 20 (on Sam Heyes 11 and on Bob Browne 9)
On Solihull 38 PIMs: 28-10

MVP: Sarah Hutchinson

Four point weekend for the Under-14s

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