News

Play off magic doesn't strike twice in Coventry

Tweet

Saturday, August 10th, saw the B.S.H.A. Play Off Semi Finals take place at the Sky Dome in Coventry, the scene of last seasons EPL Phoenix Triumph! The Phoenix Sledge squad where hoping to use this as inspiration to get through to their own Play Off Final... but they would have to beat the most decorated side in the UK's Sledge game - the Kingston Kestrels!

Having beaten them in the last league game, the Phoenix knew they had the skill and ability to beat the Kestrels, so both teams entered the contest in high spirits and an air of expectancy. With the game taking place of 3 periods.it was certainly going to be an interesting game regardless of the winner!

The first period started with the Phoenix hitting the ice hard and fast, something that has been a problem in previous games, and instantly put the Kestrels under pressure, with some great play between the forward line of Karl Nicholson, Rob Allen and Anthony Booth, as they swarmed the Kestels zone, only some unlucky bounces and great play in the Kestrels net denied the Phoenix from putting the puck in the net! The Kestrels gradually got back into the game and provided a sterner test as the period neared its conclusion, but with the Phoenix being the stronger of the two sides, it was the Kestrels who took the lead into the first intermission, 2-1.

The Phoenix looked to build on an impressive first period, but within the first 30 seconds the Kestrels had taken a 2 goal advantage! Maybe in the past this would have deflated the Phoenix players, but they roared back and again tried to chip away at the Kestrels lead, with Anthony Booth in great form going close, but for a bad bobble on a break away and the Kestrels net minder refusing to be beaten, could again have put the Phoenix on the board. Although Phoenix would manage to score, through Anthony Booth, and the Phoenix having the better of the 2nd period, again the Kestrels managed to hold on to a 1 goal lead at 3-2!

As most games are played over 2 periods, the third would be interesting to see... how would the extra period take its toll on the players? Would the game slow down due to tiredness? The coaches and those in attendance, including Great Britain Coach Andy Linton, got ready for the start of the third period.

After 2 periods of controlling the game, despite the score line, the toll began to show on the Phoenix players, and the Kestrels used all their experience and guile to take control of the game. With the Phoenix trying to claw back the one goal deficit, the Kestrels struck to widen the gap to 4-2, and with Phoenix still pressing to try and get back in the game, the gaps at the back where exposed from pushing forward and Kestrels wrapped up a 6-2 victory to go through to the Play Off Finals.

Despite the score line, the game was very close and with a little more luck, and no doubt more experience, who knows... maybe the score line could have been in the Phoenix teams advantage. Although the disappointment at not reaching the Finals was clear to see, the team has really showed how far it has come in just a few short months. With a few tweaks, and a little more luck.. .this Phoenix team could be challenging very soon. Some great performances, up front Anthony Booth was probably the pick of the forwards, although all can be proud of the game they played, in Defence Graham "The Pain Train" Wilson was a rock, both his physical play and reading of the game have really developed, but again the whole Defence can be proud of performance they put in and between the pipes, Steve Midghall stood on his head at times and gave the team a solid foundation to build from - a great team performance all round, as was echoed by many observers - from opposition teams and those in the stands.

So what's next? With the Peterborough Phantoms beating the Cardiff Devils in the 2nd Semi Final, it means the Phantoms will play the Kestrels for the Play Off crown - can the Phantoms do the double? Or will Kingston get revenge for losing their League title by denying the Phantoms?

In the 3rd/4th place game it will be the Manchester Phoenix vs. Cardiff Devils, which should provide a great game to watch... mix of current and former GB players, up and coming players to keep and eye on and pride at stake.will be a cracker!

So get down to Widnes Ice Rink, Sunday 1st September to catch both games. Admission is FREE & with many GB players, looking to crack the GB squad to make the Paralympics, on show, what more excuse do you need to come down and catch the greatest game you've probably never seen!