Billingham Bombers 8 - 0 Phoenix U-16B

Last Saturday saw the Phoenix U-16B make the road trip to Billingham to play against an inform Teeside outfit team with a high goal-scoring record of 95 goals in 14 games. Both teams began playing a physical game with plenty of checks in the opening minutes and Phoenix creating the best early chances. the third minute saw the first penalties as Spedding, for the home side took a minor for Cross-Checking that Phoenix Scott Robson took exception to and he ended up with a minor for Roughing. With one official, referee John Kerry, players began to take a few liberties and some rash challenges were made by both sides resulting in Hewitson taking a Tripping minor in the eighth minute. Phoenix were caught out of position in the 11th minute allowing Chapman to skate high into the slot unchallenged and give Nicole Jackson no chance with a short range slapshot. To this point, Phoenix had been enjoying the most of the offensive play and went on the powerplay again in the 13th minute with Spedding again the acused - for Tripping. Phoenix worked hard, but Evie Robertsin the home goal denied both Harvey Treadgold and Shannon Lingwood. Just past the 14-minute mark, Kieran Ferris was checked, head first into the boards, by Chapman. With the Phoenix player lying motionless on the ice, Mr Kerry adjudged Chapman a minor penalty for Boarding. Phoenix officials were not happy feeling that the Billingham player should have received at least a game or a Match penalty given the obvious seriousness of the injury sustained by Ferris who remained motionless during the length wait before the paramedics and an ambulance arrived. The teams took the early break while the medical staff attended to the stricken Phoenix player eventually delicately transfering him to a spinal board for the trip to hospital. Phoenix duly failed to capitalise on the 5two-man powerplay and the period ended with the home side ahead desite being outshot 10-5 by the visitors.

With a quick turnaround, Phoenix keep on the powerplay and both teams maintain the physical appraoch with Ryan Hulme Cross-Checked by Hewitson and Hulme responding with a flurry of punches - both picking up minors for their troubles. Chapman rejoined the game at the end of his Boarding minor and Phoenix officals again queried his remaining in the game with the referee causing another lengthy delay before play resumed with home team captain still in the action. Within twenty seconds of the re-start, the Bombers added their second goal, Spedding nettin g assisted by Watson in goalmouth scramble. Billingham continue to apply pressure and the 19th minute saw them stretch their lead to three-nil. Phoenix were understandably downhearted as despite more than holding their own, a three goal deficit looked too much to contend with having lost Ferris. And things got worse as two phoenix defenceman were penalised at the same time - Chris Wells and Bobby Streetly - causing another heated debate this time involving Phoenix coach Kevin Cassidy and the referee. With Phoenix player's tempers being tested to the limit on the resulting 5-on-3, another Bombers attack sees Hewitson bundle Phoenix netminder Nicole Jackson into the net. As Hewitson continued to lay on top of the Phoenix netminder, Nicole took exception and her flurry of punches sees her assessed a 2+2 for Roughing with the home player a 10-minute Misconduct. Again Phoenix officials query the non-call of Interference, and Ryan Hulme talks himself into a Game Misconduct for Abuse of Official and the Phoenix were in danger of totally losing the plot. An excellent effort sees the Phoenix kill off the penalties and they turned defence into attack with shots from Harvey Treadgold, Tom Wilkinson and Jared Dickinson all unlucky not to reduce the arrears. End of the second period and the Bombers led 3-0 and slightly ahead on the shots on goal, 17-13.

The final session saw the physical aspect of the play continue with the home side enjoying the better of the play and possession. Phoenix changed goalies at 38:15 with Coach Cassidy giving Jorge El-Hage some valuable ice time against the Bombers sharpshooters. Unfortunately, Joe Watson ripped through the Phoenix rearguard twice to give Jorge no chance on two quick goals. It was no great surprise that some Phoenix heads drop and the Bombers add three further unanswered goals to wrap up the scoring.

A Phoenix spokesperson commented, "Overall, this was a very physical game by both teams, and the injury to (Kieran) Ferris unsettled some of out team. With little support from the lone official, it was always an uphill battle. The good news on Kieran Ferris is that the player was released from hospital late Saturday night with soft tissue and slight ligament damage to the neck and should be able to return to training in a few weeks.".

Period scores: 1-0, 2-0, 5-0

PIMs: 26-42

SOGs: On Billingham 19 On Phoenix: Nicole Jackson 3/21, Jorge El-Hage 5/13

Phoenix MVP - Harvey Treadgold