So, I figure that is about time I gave my thoughts on the season which far too recently finished.
Overall, I’d say that the Phoenix had a damned successful season. 3rd in the League, Cup semi finalists, and Play Off Champions. At the start of the season I said I would be more than happy if we were there or there about in the league (we were), had a good cup run (yup), and made a damn good attempt at the Play Off title (certainly managed that one!), so for me, this was an unqualified success.
Sure, there were things that could have been better. But for some injuries (a perennial problem at the Phoenix), we might have pushed Guildford all the way for the league title, especially after the wheels fell off at the Bison. And a tendency for the D to ‘switch off’ certainly cost us a few games towards the end of the season. But in all honesty, what we achieved this season was phenomenal. Indeed, since we joined the EPIHL, we have been an exceptionally consistent team. we have never finished outside the top 3 in the league (3rd, 1st, 2nd, 3rd), and in the play offs we have been to all 4 weekends (Semi Final loss, Semi Final loss, Final loss, Final win). Which is why i get so fucking angry when people moan that we should ‘do better’ or ‘win more’. W ehave a record in the EPIHL that pretty much any other club would kill for. We win more games than we lose, and are almost always in contention for silverware. What more could the team do? Be like Celtic in Scotland and dominate completely? No thanks. Too boring.
In terms of players, I have to single out Ben Wood. Once again, he improved his game massively. This seemed to be down to the influence of big Rob Schnabel. Ben is maturig into a fine D-man, with the added bonus that he can pop up onto the forward lines with relative ease.
And Coach Hand? Well, he still knows how to build a winning side (even if at times it can be a bit ‘squeeky bum’ time). Add in the extra Gb work he did this season ( 2 bout of Olympic qualifiers),and his ability to remain focused on the club was remarkable.
And fianlly for now, it was very welcome to see Luke Boothroyd return to the GB squad for the World Championships. In my opinion, Boots is one of the finest GB D-men around, EIHL included.
And thats all for now folks. I need a coffee injection, stat!
Totally convinced if we wouldn’t had the injury problems and been able to come out of Guildford (1st leg of EPL Cup) 1-0 down or better we would have easily won the EPL Cup and it would have been us with the double.
But know body can say we didn’t have injury problems this season and without them we were arguably the best team in the league.
Ohh well! we won the one trophy 99.9% of Phoenix fans would have killed for at the start of the season. And the Manchester playoff curse has finally been broken 🙂
Smiles all round for the whole of the off season and bring on September.