Phoenix Struck by Lightning

Friday, 15th February 2008

North Muskoka Lightning - Manchester Phoenix

The small town of Bala lies in picturesque "Cottage Country" among the lakes of central Ontario. The Phoenix U-16 touring team rolled in on Day 4 of their Canadian odyssey as guests of the North Muskoka Lightning, their first 'rep' team opponents.

Under the control of former NHL referee, Ron Hoggarth, the game was yet another step-up for Phoenix in speed and intensity. In danger of being left for dead in the early exchanges, a shell-shocked Phoenix fell behind to a Lightning goal in the first minute, squeezed inside the right post by Evan Mullen. The visitors were fortunate to get some breathing space from a powerplay opportunity shortly afterwards as North Muskoka's captain, Chris Trufal, warmed the penalty bench for two minutes. Mullen doubled the home side's lead mid-period, but a determined rear-guard action coupled with a series of good saves from Sam Heyes helped Phoenix to limit the damage at the end of the first.

Whatever it was head coach Paul Bayliss had to say to the team in the changing room, it clearly had the desired effect. The second period saw a re-invigorated Phoenix side skating more confidently and intelligently. Manchester were never going to match their hosts physically, with five feet three inch players facing opponents up to six feet five, but what Phoenix lacked in size they made up for in agility and neutral zone passing skills. While they were unfortunate to fall further behind to a Ryan Mooney marker, the goal proved to be a pivotal moment in the game. Manchester started to take the game to the Lightning with some refreshingly crisp passing moves. The youngest player on the ice, Jared Dickinson, netted from Ryan Pike at 19'15" to put Phoenix on the radar and a minute later Ben Brown fed Tom Hammond to fire in the second. A single goal now separated the sides with the North Muskoka team rapidly developing respect for their visitors. Nicole Jackson took over between the pipes at the half way point and played with impressive confidence against a side more than willing to crash the net.

The final period continued to be hotly contested, both sides getting their shots away. The tide was gradualy turning in favour of the Phoenix as the whole squad worked their socks off to draw level, sensing the game was there for the taking. The Lightning however didn't see it that way and with five minutes remaining Brandon Luksa netted the host's fourth to make it comfortable. Or so they thought. Just a minute later Dickinson latched on to a puck from Elliot Bayne and Ryan Hulme, roofing into the Lightning net to set up a tense final four minutes. With the crowd urging both sides on Phoenix twice went close in the final moments, but Lightning hung on as Phoenix went down to their first defeat of the tour.

Stats: Jared Dickinson 2+0, Tom Hammond 1+0, Ryan Hulme 0+1, Ben Brown 0+1.

Phoenix Struck by Lightning

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