Tales from a Tired Hockey Fan!
9 years ago
Monday, 6 June 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Phoenix duo back on the blue line
Manchester Phoenix captain Luke Boothroyd and defensive partner Ladislav Harabin have re-signed with the EPL champions for another year.
The pair were essential parts to Phoenix’s title winning success last year and player coach Tony Hand has moved quickly to keep them at the club.
Boothroyd is returning for his fourth season with the club and Hand said: “Luke is reliable and dependable every night, and has provided a cool presence both on and off the ice for the 3 years he has been with the team.”
Harabin’s first term with the Phoenix was a successful one even if it was hampered with injuries, the Slovak had a knee injury and a horrific wrist injury putting his career in jeopardy.
But Harabin still managed to produce 33 points from 45 games whilst also earning a spot on the EPL All-star team.
Hand said: “Ladzi was the best defender in the league last year and, despite other teams chasing his signature, he always said he wanted to return to Phoenix.
“It is a great signing for the club and, hopefully, he can avoid those nasty injuries next term.”
The two defenders join new centre Slava Koulikov and returnee Tom Duggan on the roster for next season, however Hand now needs to find two new wingers for his top line.
Forward Curtis Huppe has joined playoff champions Guildford Flames whilst his line-mate from last season Marcus Kristoffersson looks set to join a team in Europe.
The pair were essential parts to Phoenix’s title winning success last year and player coach Tony Hand has moved quickly to keep them at the club.
Boothroyd is returning for his fourth season with the club and Hand said: “Luke is reliable and dependable every night, and has provided a cool presence both on and off the ice for the 3 years he has been with the team.”
Harabin’s first term with the Phoenix was a successful one even if it was hampered with injuries, the Slovak had a knee injury and a horrific wrist injury putting his career in jeopardy.
But Harabin still managed to produce 33 points from 45 games whilst also earning a spot on the EPL All-star team.
Hand said: “Ladzi was the best defender in the league last year and, despite other teams chasing his signature, he always said he wanted to return to Phoenix.
“It is a great signing for the club and, hopefully, he can avoid those nasty injuries next term.”
The two defenders join new centre Slava Koulikov and returnee Tom Duggan on the roster for next season, however Hand now needs to find two new wingers for his top line.
Forward Curtis Huppe has joined playoff champions Guildford Flames whilst his line-mate from last season Marcus Kristoffersson looks set to join a team in Europe.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Phoenix lock down their drawmen for title defence.
Player coach Tony Hand has begun re-tooling his championship winning Manchester Phoenix this week by securing two centres for the 2011/12 campaign.
Forward Slava Koulikov has agreed terms with the Altrincham club and will replace the departing second line centre Greg Wood, who has signed for his hometown Sheffield Steeldogs with ex-Phoenix defencemen Ben Morgan and Pavel Gomeniuk.
The 32 year old Russion born star joins Phoenix from Slough Jets but qualifies as a British player as he has a UK passport after spending the last 15 years playing ice hockey in this country.
Last season, Koulikov produced 81 points in 52 games and helped the Jets win the EPL cup, whilst he has also played for Basingstoke Bison and Hull Stingrays in the Elite League.
Tony Hand told the clubs website: “Slava is a great signing for us. It is not often a player of Slava's quality comes on the market.
“We also have the added bonus of him being British qualified. This makes quite a difference as I look to form the lines for next season.”
Meanwhile third line centre Tom Duggan has re-signed with the club after making a big impact in his first season.
Duggan, 20, chipped in with 30 points last season, helping Phoenix win their first league title and Hand was eager to keep him at the club.
Hand said: “Tom was my choice as coach's player of the year. His effort was outstanding all season.
“Tom never gives any less than 100% every shift. He is still a young lad and will no doubt make an even more significant contribution next season.”
Forward Slava Koulikov has agreed terms with the Altrincham club and will replace the departing second line centre Greg Wood, who has signed for his hometown Sheffield Steeldogs with ex-Phoenix defencemen Ben Morgan and Pavel Gomeniuk.
The 32 year old Russion born star joins Phoenix from Slough Jets but qualifies as a British player as he has a UK passport after spending the last 15 years playing ice hockey in this country.
Last season, Koulikov produced 81 points in 52 games and helped the Jets win the EPL cup, whilst he has also played for Basingstoke Bison and Hull Stingrays in the Elite League.
Tony Hand told the clubs website: “Slava is a great signing for us. It is not often a player of Slava's quality comes on the market.
“We also have the added bonus of him being British qualified. This makes quite a difference as I look to form the lines for next season.”
Meanwhile third line centre Tom Duggan has re-signed with the club after making a big impact in his first season.
Duggan, 20, chipped in with 30 points last season, helping Phoenix win their first league title and Hand was eager to keep him at the club.
Hand said: “Tom was my choice as coach's player of the year. His effort was outstanding all season.
“Tom never gives any less than 100% every shift. He is still a young lad and will no doubt make an even more significant contribution next season.”
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Phoenix playoff run ended in OT by Lightning.
Quarter final:
Manchester Phoenix 4-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (Agg 10-4)
Semi final:
Manchester Phoenix 2-3 Milton Keynes Lightning (OT)
After winning the English Premier League title last week, Manchester Phoenix will be looking for more silverware this weekend at the Playoff Finals.
Phoenix beat rivals Sheffield Steeldogs convincingly over two legs last weekend in the playoff quarterfinals and now face Milton Keynes Lightning in the semi-final on Saturday.
Tony Hand’s side left Yorkshire on Saturday with a 6-2 win and the league champions sealed their Coventry berth with a comfortable 4-2 win in Altrincham the following night.
In their final home game of the season, Phoenix took an early two goal lead thanks to strikes from Hand and James Archer giving the home side a six goal cushion on aggregate.
Hand, feeling his side had done enough, didn’t ice for the remainder of the game, resting up for the weekend ahead.
Similarly Marcus Kristoffersson took the opportunity to watch from the stands after a goalless second period, which also saw back up netminder Adam Summerfield replace Steve Fone in the Manchester net.
Sheffield pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute through Chris Sykes, but Curtis Huppe and Stephen Wallace increased the lead to 4-1 before ex-Phoenix defenceman Ryan Johnson netted a late consolation.
The other semi-final will be between Guildford and Peterborough with the Playoff Final taking place on Sunday at the Coventry Sky Dome.
On Saturday, Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix went down fighting as a late comeback was not enough to beat Milton Keynes Lightning.
With Phoenix seemingly dead and buried losing 2-0 in their playoff semi final match, the EPL champions staged a remarkable fight back scoring twice in the final minute to send the game to overtime.
After a scoreless opening period at the season finale event in Coventry, it was the Lightning that broke the deadlock with a goal from Matt Towalski in the 31st minute.
That was quickly followed by a goal from Adam Brittle to give the Lightning a two goal lead going into the final period.
But with Phoenix looking like they would be shut-out by a hard working Lightning defence, Pavel Gomeniuk struck on the powerplay in the 59th minute and then player coach Hand netted seconds later to send the travelling fans into a frenzy.
However after pulling the game level, Leigh Jamieson destroyed any hopes of Phoenix progressing to the final when he struck the winner for the Lightning with 19 seconds of overtime remaining.
The final on Sunday was won by Guildford Flames as they ran out 5-3 winners over the Lightning with a Martin Masa penalty shot goal in the third period being the game winner.
Manchester Phoenix 4-2 Sheffield Steeldogs (Agg 10-4)
Semi final:
Manchester Phoenix 2-3 Milton Keynes Lightning (OT)
After winning the English Premier League title last week, Manchester Phoenix will be looking for more silverware this weekend at the Playoff Finals.
Phoenix beat rivals Sheffield Steeldogs convincingly over two legs last weekend in the playoff quarterfinals and now face Milton Keynes Lightning in the semi-final on Saturday.
Tony Hand’s side left Yorkshire on Saturday with a 6-2 win and the league champions sealed their Coventry berth with a comfortable 4-2 win in Altrincham the following night.
In their final home game of the season, Phoenix took an early two goal lead thanks to strikes from Hand and James Archer giving the home side a six goal cushion on aggregate.
Hand, feeling his side had done enough, didn’t ice for the remainder of the game, resting up for the weekend ahead.
Similarly Marcus Kristoffersson took the opportunity to watch from the stands after a goalless second period, which also saw back up netminder Adam Summerfield replace Steve Fone in the Manchester net.
Sheffield pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute through Chris Sykes, but Curtis Huppe and Stephen Wallace increased the lead to 4-1 before ex-Phoenix defenceman Ryan Johnson netted a late consolation.
The other semi-final will be between Guildford and Peterborough with the Playoff Final taking place on Sunday at the Coventry Sky Dome.
On Saturday, Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix went down fighting as a late comeback was not enough to beat Milton Keynes Lightning.
With Phoenix seemingly dead and buried losing 2-0 in their playoff semi final match, the EPL champions staged a remarkable fight back scoring twice in the final minute to send the game to overtime.
After a scoreless opening period at the season finale event in Coventry, it was the Lightning that broke the deadlock with a goal from Matt Towalski in the 31st minute.
That was quickly followed by a goal from Adam Brittle to give the Lightning a two goal lead going into the final period.
But with Phoenix looking like they would be shut-out by a hard working Lightning defence, Pavel Gomeniuk struck on the powerplay in the 59th minute and then player coach Hand netted seconds later to send the travelling fans into a frenzy.
However after pulling the game level, Leigh Jamieson destroyed any hopes of Phoenix progressing to the final when he struck the winner for the Lightning with 19 seconds of overtime remaining.
The final on Sunday was won by Guildford Flames as they ran out 5-3 winners over the Lightning with a Martin Masa penalty shot goal in the third period being the game winner.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Phoenix are EPL Champions 2010/11
Manchester Phoenix 5-2 Swindon Wildcats
Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix finally sealed their first ever piece of silverware on Sunday night as they beat Swindon Wildcats.
A packed Altrincham Ice Dome saw Phoenix claim the English Premier League title after switching from the Elite League two seasons ago, but it wasn’t without a dramatic final league match.
Phoenix, who missed a chance to seal the title on Saturday after losing 6-2 at Peterborough Phantoms, took a two goal lead with goals from Pavel Gomeniuk and James Archer.
But just as Phoenix appeared to be cruising to the finish line, player coach Hand was thrown out of the game with a high-sticking penalty leaving Phoenix to play the match out without their leader.
Swindon netted on the resulting power play through Egidijus Bauba leaving the home side with a one goal lead at the break.
The second period finished goalless with the Wildcats keeping Phoenix at bay whilst threatening to ruin the night for the home side.
But like so many times this season, Phoenix came through, two quick third period goals from Stephen Wallace and James Archer with his second of the night saw the champions flying.
Swindon responded with a second goal from James Knight but the Phoenix defence stood firm and Curtis Huppe fired in an empty net goal in the final minute to cue celebrations both on the ice and off it as Phoenix clinched the title.
Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix finally sealed their first ever piece of silverware on Sunday night as they beat Swindon Wildcats.
A packed Altrincham Ice Dome saw Phoenix claim the English Premier League title after switching from the Elite League two seasons ago, but it wasn’t without a dramatic final league match.
Phoenix, who missed a chance to seal the title on Saturday after losing 6-2 at Peterborough Phantoms, took a two goal lead with goals from Pavel Gomeniuk and James Archer.
But just as Phoenix appeared to be cruising to the finish line, player coach Hand was thrown out of the game with a high-sticking penalty leaving Phoenix to play the match out without their leader.
Swindon netted on the resulting power play through Egidijus Bauba leaving the home side with a one goal lead at the break.
The second period finished goalless with the Wildcats keeping Phoenix at bay whilst threatening to ruin the night for the home side.
But like so many times this season, Phoenix came through, two quick third period goals from Stephen Wallace and James Archer with his second of the night saw the champions flying.
Swindon responded with a second goal from James Knight but the Phoenix defence stood firm and Curtis Huppe fired in an empty net goal in the final minute to cue celebrations both on the ice and off it as Phoenix clinched the title.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Phoenix title down to the wire as Jets fly by.
Manchester Phoenix 4-6 Slough Jets
Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix will have to wait until the final weekend of the regular season to lift the EPL title after losing 6-4 to Slough Jets on Thursday.
Phoenix, who bounced back with a 6-5 win against Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday, need one point from their remaining two games against Peterborough and Swindon.
On Thursday, Phoenix went down against Slough at the Altrincham Ice Dome in a tight game that was only decided in the final minute as the Jets struck an empty net goal.
Goals from Ben Morgan and Tony Hand were countered by strikes by Darius Pliskauskas and Nicky Watt leaving the teams even at the first break.
Morgan again gave Phoenix the lead in the middle session but a mix up between netminder Steve Fone and Pavel Gomeniuk left Shaun Thompson to score shorthanded for the visitors.
Curtis Huppe restored the home sides lead going into the final period but the Jets came out flying in the third period scoring twice through Adam Calder and Pliskauskas before sealing the win with an empty net strike as Phoenix pushed forward.
Player coach Hand said: “We lost concentration at times, and we were punished. We played some great hockey and so did the Jets, but this is a wakeup call to everyone that there is still everything to play for, and we cannot lose focus at this stage of the campaign.”
Phoenix travel to Peterborough on Saturday, where a win would seal the league title before entertaining Swindon Wildcats at home on Sunday in the final regular season game.
Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix will have to wait until the final weekend of the regular season to lift the EPL title after losing 6-4 to Slough Jets on Thursday.
Phoenix, who bounced back with a 6-5 win against Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday, need one point from their remaining two games against Peterborough and Swindon.
On Thursday, Phoenix went down against Slough at the Altrincham Ice Dome in a tight game that was only decided in the final minute as the Jets struck an empty net goal.
Goals from Ben Morgan and Tony Hand were countered by strikes by Darius Pliskauskas and Nicky Watt leaving the teams even at the first break.
Morgan again gave Phoenix the lead in the middle session but a mix up between netminder Steve Fone and Pavel Gomeniuk left Shaun Thompson to score shorthanded for the visitors.
Curtis Huppe restored the home sides lead going into the final period but the Jets came out flying in the third period scoring twice through Adam Calder and Pliskauskas before sealing the win with an empty net strike as Phoenix pushed forward.
Player coach Hand said: “We lost concentration at times, and we were punished. We played some great hockey and so did the Jets, but this is a wakeup call to everyone that there is still everything to play for, and we cannot lose focus at this stage of the campaign.”
Phoenix travel to Peterborough on Saturday, where a win would seal the league title before entertaining Swindon Wildcats at home on Sunday in the final regular season game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
