EPL Week 24 Round up

SWINDON, UK – The league stats after the weekend show the Greener boys, Adam and Joe of the Jets, finally have a family reunion at the top of the British Penalty Receivers Top Ten chart, which was probably destined from the start of the season, and are also well on their way to a similar assembly at the overall Top Ten Penalty Receivers chart. Lightning’s Grant McPherson, though, is slipping and has been replaced by Manchester newcomer Jaako Hagelberg (FIN)(F) in the overall chart.
In the overall Top Ten Points Scorers chart Jaroslav Cesky (CZE)(F) of the Bees taken over at the top, with fellow Bee Michal Pinc (CZE)(F) close behind which appears to be something of an anomaly considering Bracknell’s league position. Meanwhile the Phoenix has three forwards in the top ten: Courtenay (CAN), Hand (GBR) and Walker (GBR), the Jets have two: Blaz Emersic (SVK) and Peter Poljacek (SVK), and the Lightning just one: Monir Kalgoum (SWE). Oddly, the Flames aren’t represented. They are, however, in the British Points Top Ten chart in the shape of Rob Lamey (GBR)(F) at number six, and this chart is a lot more colourful although the Lightning livery is   noticeably absent.
No real change in the overall Top Ten Goal Scorers chart, and not much in the British chart either apart from Flames’ Gary Clarke (GBR)(F) making an appearance. Tony Hand (GBR)(F) of the Phoenix still dominates the Assists Top Ten chart, and there is a strong representation from the Jets with Blaz Emersic (SVK)(D), Joe Greener (GBR)(F) and Peter Poljicek (SVK)(F) at the foot, and Jets Daniel Davies (GBR)(F) has also made an entry. On the bench penalty front the Wildcats have finally been knocked off their ‘good boy’ spot with the fewest to be replaced by the Scimitars.
This week saw the second leg of the EPL Cup semi-final at Milton Keynes where the Phoenix managed this time to come away with a 3-3 draw. Certain elements of the press rather benevolently claimed the Phoenix salvaged some pride with this result, but as they were two down at the end of the first period and although managing to pull one back dropped to two again, with an eleven to five aggregate loss that only the Flames and Jets have come anywhere near over two games, those supporters would probably feel a more appropriate description would be ‘stuffed’ .    
Continuing with the EPL Cup the following evening, the Flames won 4-2 at home to the Jets in the first leg of their semi-final, although you have to at least consider the Jets might be a teeny bit more of a challenge on home soil.
Lots of good news from the Phantom’s at last. New coach Tim Peacock came in from the cold from his five-game ban following a row with ref Dave Goodwin three weeks ago at the Scimitar’s game. Also returning this week, so far only for training but with a lot of fingers crossed for the weekend, were Callum Fowler (GBR)(F), who broke his jaw in two places, and Tom Carlon (GBR)(F) who has been sidelined since last November with a shoulder injury.
So onto Saturday’s games and the Wildcats must have been relieved to pick up two points against the Scimitars, even if they didn’t play as well as they normally do when they lose, which must add to coach Aldridge’s frustrations. As an added bonus for the Wildcats the Bees lost to the Phantoms, drawing them back to the danger zone that has become the eighth playoff spot. Slough did the business at home against the Flames, as expected, overturning their mid-week defeat in Guildford, but this time not for the Cup. Romford, for only the second time this season, managed to force a game beyond regular time so at least picked up a point at Basingstoke. And the Phoenix er, salvaged yet more pride at Milton Keynes by the narrow margin of nine-to-one in defeat.
But if that wasn’t woe enough, on Sunday those nasty Jets went to Manchester and cashed in on the Phoenix who must be reeling on the ground at the moment and gave them a 4-2 kicking. Manchester boss Tony Hand blamed sloppy defence for his team’s nose-dive against Slough, who with the scoreline two-apiece scored two times in ninety seconds early in the third period ensuring it was all over.

And to cap off an eventful week, the Bison went to Sheffield and came back with a four-point weekend taking them above Manchester in the league and pretty much ensuring the Phoenix won’t rise from the ashes this time. Meanwhile, in another spirited display the Wildcats took the lead and lost it this time against the Raiders who, for the second time this weekend, went into overtime, but on this occasion came away with both points. Bees also went into overtime against the Phantoms, so maintained the points difference established last night against Swindon in the number eight battle. Guildford, after a disappointing loss at Slough bounced back with a terrific win over the league leaders ensuring they are still in contention for the league title.
So onto the table which has shifted a wee bit with the Phoenix and Bison swapping places and with Slough having the most productive weekend of the top teams it is looking like a three horse race if the Lightning didn’t have that darn game in hand.
And one final point, and that is the winter Olympics and in particular the gold medal game between the USA and Canada. OK, so it has nothing to do with the EPL unless I use the link that Romford Raiders were proposing to show the encounter on their big screen after the Swindon game, which I though a great idea for the fans to make an evening of it. And my point? Oh yes, Canada won. Yeeeha! Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com