Nap hand Dickenson leads Phoenix to sweet victory

Wednesday, 27th January 2010

Phoenix U16s 8 - 5 Solihull U16s (game held on Sat Jan 2nd)

A much improved performance from the Phoenix U-16 squad saw them take two valuable points from the New Year visit of Solihull to the Ice Dome, largely thanks to a super show from Salford-born Jared Dickenson.

An entertaining first period saw the two teams share four goals, with the visitors recovering from a two goal deficit to go to the first interval with the score tied at 2-2. Phoenix killed off an early Interference penalty on Tom Ratcliffe with the bonus of taking a shorthanded lead courtesy of an unassisted stroke from Scott Robson. Phoenix were delighted to make it two-nil in the tenth minute, Jared Dickenson assisting as Ratcliffe atoned for his early misdemeanor by doubling the lead. But the Phoenix celebrations were cut very short as the visitors reduced the arrears straight from the face-off, needing just five seconds to score and incredibly, within a further 30 seconds, they had pulled the score level. The Phoenix were stunned by this double-quick reposte, but didn't panic before putting the first interval to excellent use.

The break afforded the coaching staff time to calm things down and get the team concentrating on their specific personal roles and the team objectives. Phoenix came out ready to take the game to Solihull and they stunned the Brummies with a four goal salvo in the space of just over five minutes, all from Salford sniper Jared Dickenson. His first came unassisted in the 18th minute and his second and Phoenix fourth marker in the 22nd with assists to Mason Howard and Scott Robson. The hat-trick was completed when Cade King fed Dickenson on a 24th minute powerplay and barely 28 seconds later a second unassisted score saw the home side leading 6-2. Solihull pulled a goal back before the second break where they went to the locker room to reflect upon the deluge from Dickenson and a now rampant Phoenix squad.

The third period was the opposite of the flowing, goal-laden game that the first two periods had been as both teams seem more interested in obstructing and denying each other the opportunity to play. The penalties flowed right from the first drop of the puck and the entertainment became very staccato to watch. Solihull made it 6-4 in the 34th minute, but Phoenix quickly regained the upper hand as Robson netted his second of the game on a pass from Dickenson and the pair combined again with Robson feeding Dickenson for his nap-hand goal in the 39th minute. With the referees arm going up and down with alarming regularity calling penalties, the only further score saw Solihull add a powerplay marker to make the final score 8-5 to the Phoenix.

MVP for the Phoenix was Josh Sweet while back-up netminder Andy Underwood deputised well for the away on a skiing holiday Jorge El Hage.

Nap hand Dickenson leads Phoenix to sweet victory

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