SWINDON, UK – A run of eleven winning games is not to be sniffed at, although you might be forgiven with the current weather, but that is what the Bison are currently up to in week 14. They passed the club record, which I believe was eight, three weeks ago and have also surpassed the Flames opening ten-game run at the season’s start. But, if my reckoning is correct, the Flames still hold an eleven-game winning run of road games which could also go out the window soon as the Phoenix stopped that streak last weekend.
Also out, but probably not via the window, was D-man Steve Duncombe who was released by the Phantoms following their comprehensive drubbing by the Flames. Hot on his heels was British forward Ben Duggan who walked out on the Bees saying he wanted more ice time. Bees’ Coach Cox said the club, ‘fully understands that he would like to explore the opportunity of increasing his ice time elsewhere.’
Cox wasn’t so benevolent towards the Bison, though, following their Saturday clash. Cox said the winning goal by Ollie Bronnimann came after the British forward had got away with punching Bees’ Czech D-man Valdemar Pelikovsky when he was down on the ice which, Cox says, was missed and warranted a game penalty at least. Assuming Cox is correct in what he witnessed then this really is the sort of thing that should be picked up if the EPL is supposed to be trying to increase the skill level. And, if you also assume the ref was unsighted rather than ignored the infringement then this begs the question as to how you increase the skill level without adequate monitoring. On the other hand, if the breach was genuine but ignored then that raises the question of how you expect to improve the quality of players’ skill without a matching level in the officials. Methinks this one won’t go away.
Which brings things nicely along to the Tigers and, specifically the 5-game suspension levelled out to Coach Tom Watkins for having words with the ref following what he felt was an uncalled interference penalty which cost the Tigers a goal and the game. Watkins said, ‘The decision seems very harsh when you compare it to penalties given for other offenses such as causing injuries…’ But perhaps more importantly, he reiterated Coach Cox’s complaint of several weeks ago, adding, ‘Sadly we are not in a position to appeal as that would take valuable funds from the team.’
So another coach saying that in practice there is no appeals procedure, so why not save everyone a lot of bother and scrap it. Or is it only there for the clubs that can afford it? It’s hard enough when a team has to accept a damaging missed call or poor decision but like most sports it is part of the game and equals itself out to some extent over a season, but if there is no provision for viewing series incidents fairly for ALL sides, then it is hardly justice and, as I have said before, shows a lack of understanding about the psychology of the game.
I can think of several occasions where both players and coaches have been dealt penalties for what has looked like no more than asking a question. While I am certainly not saying anyone should be expected to face anger or intimidation, wouldn’t something like a yellow card diffuse the situation, act as a breathing space and warning for those vital seconds to hopefully avoid a serious penalty, especially if the subsequent sentence does not fit the ‘crime’ and there is no recourse to appeal?
On a more pleasant note Scott Spearing, recently released by the Jets said he had been advised by Coach Russell that, ‘I hadn’t done anything wrong and it was the management that had said who they wanted to go.’ Spearing was quickly signed by the Bees and remarked that he hadn’t been concerned by their lowly league position. ‘I want to help them improve and it’s more of a challenge for me,’ he added.
Phoenix ’s Curtis Huppe unseated team-mate Marcus Kristoffersson as the EPL’s leading goal scorer by a single goal.
Saturday, as we all know fell victim to the weather and not a game was to be had. Sunday was marginally better with the Flames managing to travel to Telford where the home side took the lead and although the Flames equalised they were kept them in check well into the second period. In fact, with Telford five players short including the suspended Tom Watkins and a goal disallowed for an unseated goal frame the Tigers continued to look a much-improved side.
Although the scheduled game against the Jets was wiped out the Phoenix managed to slot in the Steeldogs. Coach Hand said he wanted an all-round contribution from Andrew Sharp and not just the brawling he is known for. ‘He probably gets a little frustrated,’ said Hand, ‘but there will be times for that. And times for that there were because Sharp crossed swords with Payette several times in the first period like a marriage made in heaven with the former Phoenix Canadian being sent home on his bike with a match penalty as the Phoenix beat the Sheffield team by 7-0.
So, no change at the top of the table where the Phoenix remain a point ahead but with the Flames a game in hand. But with rumours of another change in the Wildcats’ camp it reminded me that my old grand-pappy used to say, ‘You feel like a turkey in November,’ when things weren’t going according to plan.
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Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com
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