For Queen And Country

I know I Tweeted it briefly a couple of days ago, but congratulations to Robert Lachowicz, Iain Bowie, James Neil and Joe Graham on being selected for the GB U20s national team. I never thought I'd see the day when the Phoenix sent four players - joint-most with the Scimitars - to the U20s, but I'm chuffed we have so yay. All are thoroughly deserving of the honour, and while its surprising to many outside of Manchester that Neily's made it as a defenceman it's not on this here blog. For my money he's been our most consistent D, outplaying even Luke Boothroyd on occasion. Here's the full roster and staff listing:

Netminders:
Ben Bowns - Sheffield Scimitars
Thomas Murdy - Coventry Blaze

Charles Kaylor - Slough Jets [RESERVE]
Damien King - Peterborough Phantoms [RESERVE]

Defence:
Stephen Lee (C) - Nottingham Panthers
Thomas Norton - Nottingham Panthers
Joe Graham - Manchester Phoenix
James Neil - Manchester Phoenix
Sam Oakford (A) - Basingstoke Bison
Craig Mitchell - Hull Stingrays

Samuel Waller - Slough Jets [RESERVE]
Andy Finn - Swindon Wildcats [RESERVE]

Forwards:
Ben Davies - Cardiff Devils
Jamie Hayes - Cardiff Devils
Iain Bowie - Manchester Phoenix
Robert Lachowicz - Manchester Phoenix
Sam Bullas - Swindon Wildcats
Matthew Haywood - Sheffield Scimitars
Robert Farmer - Sheffield Scimitars
Tom Squires - Sheffield Scimitars
Matthew Davies - Hull Stingrays
Tom Duggan (A) - Guildford Flames
Nathan Salem - Newcastle Vipers
Ciaran Long - Slough Jets
Jamie Line - Basingstoke Bison [RESERVE]
Jordan Steel - Edinburgh Capitals [RESERVE]

General Manager: Bob Wilkinson

Team Manager: Paul Bignell - Peterborough Phantoms
Head Coach: Peter Russell - Slough Jets
Asst Coach: Joel Poirier - Coventry ENL Blaze
Equipment: Kevin Davis - Peterborough Phantoms
Physio: Emma Barraclough

The choices are pretty much faultless. Bowns and Murdy are the future of GB's goaltending behind Martin Clarkson, and guys like Farmer, Ben Davies, Long, Bowie and Lee are surely deserving of a crack at North America at some point. One surprise is the omission of Peterborough's speedster Callum Fowler, though with all the nineteen year olds in this group he'll surely get his chance next year being as he just turned eighteen at the beginning of the month.

However, the pressing issue from a Manchester perspective is how this will affect Phoenix. The tourney in Debrecen runs from Sunday 13th December to Saturday 20th. If you include travel time, this leaves Phoenix without four of its core players for four EPL games - Home to Guildford on the 12th, at Romford on the 13th, at Slough on the 19th and home to Sheffield on the 20th. Tony Hand has already stated he's deliberating on whether to risk two-line hockey (the correct answer is an emphatic 'no') or call up some players from the Metros and/or U18s. Several other teams will likely do the same, the Scims in particular have a talent-rich system that should give them ample choice for callups. Now, with two spots in each position I see five players who could step in, no problem: Max Drakeley and Sean Day on defence, and Jamie Rogerson, Jake Nurse and Andrew McKinney at forward. All are capable of holding down the fort for two weeks at this level and much more. Rogerson of course played and trained with the Elite team towards the end of 07/08 along with current Metro Tom King, while McKinney already has two solid months of EPL hockey under his belt last season with Telford.

If we are to genuinely make full use of the EPL's development ethos as was promised at May's meeting we have to allow these guys the opportunity to play semi-regular shifts. I'm not saying every week, just when the situation allows it and they are going to be able to compete. This is more likely in 2010, when we know our opponents better and can predict what sort of pace a game will have. Let's be honest, it wouldn't be fair to send them out against powerhouses such as Milton Keynes or Slough (unless, of course, they're ready for it) when there's a Romford game coming up, though I suppose the way the Raiders are going now we can't guarantee another 7-0 stroll anymore thus rendering my whole point moot. Huzzah for unforced parity. I'm encouraged by Tony's comment that he's already called up several Metros to train with the EPL team to see who is ready to make the step up, and I know for a fact that at the very least Drakeley has been training with them for much longer. Ben Wood justifiably fulfilled his mission of taking Carl Graham's spot this year, now let's see a few more Phoenix Academy products push the regulars for a place.

I want more locals, darn it.

FMJ Flashback - 14th/15th November

SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2009

Manchester Phoenix 4-2 Peterborough Phantoms

Phoenix Scorers: Mattsson 0+1, Hand 0+2, Lachowicz 0+1, B. Wood 0+1, Courtenay 1+1, Walker 1+0, Bowie 1+0, Hagelberg 1+1
Phoenix MVP: #4 Luke Boothroyd
Period Scores: 2-0, 0-0, 2-2
PIMs: 4-4
Shots: 32-35

After the first period, everyone felt we were in for another walkover. The Phantoms looked shellshocked from the get-go and Stephen Wall, who many of you will remember doing a sterling job filling in for Smurf last year in Sheffield, looked like he was cacking it. I'd say Phoenix were unlucky to be only 2-0 up by the first intermission as they had the vast majority of the pressure for the first twenty, while the Phantoms D looked in disarray. It was like a completely different game for the second period. Peterborough found something in the dressing room and came out like a team with a point to prove. It was a far more even period with both sides getting their fair share of opportunities, both goalies making some very good saves. The third was more of the same only with the Phantoms escalating their threat, Hagelberg's goal only seemed to spur them on more as they soon replied with two very quick goals to cause Phoenix bums to start squeaking. The final ten minutes was all theirs as Fone was laid siege to, only some desperate defending keeping the score static. Courtenay's finisher, a classic poacher's goal resulting from a fluffer by Wall, allowed everyone to breathe again as Phoenix took the two points.


From a personal perspective, it was good to see Dwayne Newman again, six years after he last stepped on Manchester ice - as a Phoenix player no less. One of the true warriors on the British game, he's everything I want in a defenceman and one of the classiest guys around to boot. Reminds me of (sadly retired) Jason Smith in the NHL and somebody I'd have on any team in a heartbeat. If we had more guys like Dog in this country the sport would be better off.

HIGHLIGHTS

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SUNDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2009

Sheffield Scimitars 2-5 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix Scorers: Hand 2+2, Graham 0+1, Neil 0+1, Courtenay 1+3, Walker 2+1, Hagelberg 0+1
Phoenix MVP: #31 Stephen Fone
Period Scores: 1-0, 0-4, 1-1
PIMs: 16-12
Shots: 33-41

The Scimitars scare me, have done ever since the War of the Roses. Well coached, hungry and relentless, it's not hard to see why they're upsetting a lot of teams and lying fifth in the table. And yet, we seem to have their number in every game. Whether this is due to Tony's surprising penchant for playing downright nasty against them, knowing they don't have the physical presence to prevent it, is up for debate. This was no different, the bigger ice pad allowing our PP to run riot in the second period and leave the Scims trailing. Still, we had to do our bit at the other end and Fone was excellent.

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For MVP this weekend, it has to be Mr. Walker. He seems to have well and truly got his shizzle going and clearly relishes his time on the top line with Ed and Tony. He's earnt it after all these years, let's be fair. Especially after being saddled with Rhys McWilliams and Nick Whyatt for a whole season. Christ, he deserves a frakking medal for putting up with that.

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Also, can't leave it without a mention of our under 12s team on Saturday. You could forgive them for going into their game against the Blackburn Sparrowhawks expecting to get hammered - Blackburn have scored 68 goals in just six games and are top of U12 North 2 - but to come out with a 4-2 loss when there were at least four players playing up an age group is nothing short of brilliant. And, of course, Joe Murphy in goal. 41 shots against, four conceded and a long line of top-drawer saves. Yes, I know he's my cousin, but he genuinely is something special and we should be looking out for him in the future because he's going to make it big if he carries on like this.

The Shape Of Things To Come

Live from the Ice Dome, we present to you the future Phoenix #1 Netminder, Joe Murphy... You heard it here first.

Despite a stunning performance between the pipes, Phoenix U12s go down 2-4 to Blackburn.

Channel M, Now With Added Mattski

More goodness from Channel M this week, including a cameo appearance alongside Tony Hand by yours truly at 0:58.

FMJ Flashback - 7th/8th November

Due to having the privelege of watching Eddie Izzard at the MEN Arena on Saturday night (don't blame us, we booked it in the Summer thinking 'what are the chances of a Saturday home game?') we cannot bring you reports on either game this weekend, so we're going to use some half-baked reports stolen from other people. Well, it works for BritishIceHockey.co.uk.

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SATURDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2009 

Manchester Phoenix 8-3 Bracknell Bees

Phoenix Scorers: Mattsson 0+1, Hand 0+3, Graham 0+1, Lachowicz 2+0, Neil 1+0, B. Wood 0+1, Courtenay 1+3, Walker 1+0, Bowie 3+0, Hagelberg 0+3
Phoenix MVP: #33 Iain Bowie
Period Scores: 0-2, 3-1, 0-5
PIMs: 12-12
Shots: 37-23

Some would say Bracknell were in control of this game until they lost their cool, leading 3-1 before giving up seven unanswered goals, four of them on the PP. The Little Ball Of Hate was the pick of the bunch, helping himself to a hat-trick and the MOM.

HIGHLIGHTS

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SUNDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2009

Milton Keynes Lightning 2-3 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix Scorers: Mattsson 1+0, G. Wood 0+1, Hand 0+1, Lachowicz 1+0, Courtenay 0+2, Walker 1+0
Phoenix MVP: #11 Robert Lachowicz
Period Scores: 1-2, 0-0, 1-1
PIMs: 14-14
Shots: 44-32

Brilliant. MK put on a defensive masterclass when they visited the Dome and though this was no different, here Phoenix had the class to break through while also absorbing the Lightning attack. Lukas Zatopek's PP blast was a squeaky-bum moment but they held on to make the top spot their own for the first time this season.

No highlights, but some fantastic photos can be found here by MK's official photographer Jez Tibbetts.

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It's hard to give a single MVP in a weekend where the whole team played so well, but with three crucial goals over the weekend and the game winner on Sunday step forward Robert Lachowicz.

FMJ Flashback - 31st October/1st November

SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER 2009 

Basingstoke Bison 4-8 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix Scorers: Boothroyd 0+1, Payette 2+1, G. Wood 1+1, Hand 1+2, Neil 0+2, Courtenay 2+1, Walker 2+0, Hagelberg 0+3
Phoenix MVP: #29 Adam Walker
Period Scores: 2-1, 1-5, 1-2
PIMs: n/a
Shots: n/a

We seem to enjoy blitzing the Bison away from home, we've put 15 past them at their place in two games now. Highlight for me is Paysie scoring his first goals, they're long overdue and he deserves a lot more than he's been getting.

HIGHLIGHTS

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SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2009

Manchester Phoenix 6-3 Swindon Wildcats

Phoenix Scorers: Mattsson 1+0, Hand 1+3, Graham 0+1, Lachowicz 0+2, Courtenay 1+1, Walker 1+1, Bowie 2+0
Phoenix MVP: #44 Jaakko Hagelberg
Period Scores: 1-2, 5-1, 0-0
PIMs: 8-4
Shots: 35-33

Another second period blitz here, this time in the space of six minutes. Phoenix dominated the first period and yet it was the 'Cats who went into the break with the lead thanks to a couple of Steve Fone howlers. Phoenix composed themselves for the second period and it showed, the Wildcats never knew what hit them - goal #2 came at 24:22 while goal #6 came at 30:38. It was the most dominant display I've ever seen in such a short space of time and the Phoenix quite rightly shut up shop after that, the only blip being a spectacular Jozef Kohut goal fifteen seconds from time. The third was more of the same, with the Wildcats' short bench telling and Manchester quite happy to shut the game down. Adam Summerfield was given the last six minutes in goal and was never really tested, with just four tired shots coming his way.

The big factor for me was Swindon's depelted blueline. Already missing the superhuman Jan Krajicek and Andy Finn, they also lost Joe Baird in the warmup as he snapped a skate blade. Not having a spare, he was forced to sit on the bench for the game and looked thoroughly fed up throughout. This left the Wildcats with new Latvian Andrejs Lavrenovs and seventeen year old James Griffin as their only natural Ds, with Aaron Nell, Lee Richardson and Ryan Aldridge dropping back when they needed a rest. A word of young Mr. Griffin, actually. For a lad his age to come into a game, double-shift at short notice and not look out of his depth at any time against this Phoenix team is bloody impressive, especially when he was subject to some pretty rough treatment from Payette and Ben Wood throughout. Well done lad, you were our game MVP.

HIGHLIGHTS


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Weekend MVP then. For breaking his goal duck in great fashion and contributing far more to this team than he's given credit for every night, we give it to Andre Payette.

Nerdgasm

What's our power level?

It's over nine thousand!

Oh yeah, and we suck at live updates. Twitter should serve from now on 'cos if we did do a blog post as well we'd not have time to actually, you know, watch the game.

Testing

Short notice, we know, but FMJ will be testing out live updates again cos Becky got an iPhone this week :)

Twitter updates should run as normal.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

FMJ Flashback - 24th/25th October

Now featuring PIMs! Because I'm a div and forgot to put them in every single previous edition.

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SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER 2009 

Bracknell Bees 0-6 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix Scorers: Mattsson 1+0, Payette 0+1, G. Wood 0+1, Graham 1+0, Lachowicz 0+2, B. Wood 0+1, Courtenay 2+1, Walker 1+1, Bowie 1+0, Hagelberg 0+1
Phoenix MVP: #31 Stephen Fone
Period Scores: 0-1, 0-2, 0-3
PIMs: 8-8
Shots: 22-54

All reports say that despite the scoreline, this was by far the team's most complete performance so far this season. Fone had to work hard for his shutout and the defence gave him plenty of help. Most encouraging of all Ed keeps on scoring, here with two howitzers that Carl Ambler still hasn't seen.

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SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER 2009

Manchester Phoenix 1-6 Slough Jets

Phoenix Scorers: Hand 0+1, Courtenay 1+0, Hagelberg 0+1
Phoenix MVP: #8 Greg Wood
Period Scores: 0-0, 0-2, 1-4
PIMs: 6-6
Shots: 33-35

Outplayed, outcoached and outmatched. Just a bad night overall for Phoenix, nothing they did ever got going and pretty much everything went wrong. They worked all night, but Rockman was outstanding and would perhaps be unlucky not to get a shutout. I'm taking nothing away from the Jets, though. By far the best team we've played so far, relentless on the forecheck, stifling defensively and stuck to their systems to expose our weaknesses every time. 6-1 does not flatter them in the slightest. Also, bloody good show in remaining on the ice to acknowledge our MOMs after theirs and tapping their sticks. Well done, lads.

Simply a case of being second best in every department for Phoenix, we just need to put it behind us and not dwell on it. Nothing more to say, really. A 6-1 loss doesn't necessitate further comment.

HIGHLIGHTS


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Weekend MVP. With his first assist on Saturday and a never-say-die performance on Sunday as he tried everything to get the team going, Macclesfield's finest Ben Wood is proving himself to be one hell of a big, nasty grinder in the making.

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