Here we are the game report from Wednesday folks by Panda #17.

Well a trip down the A1 and with Lou-Lou Directing we arrived around 7.30 A little disappointed that there were no programs, only a game sheet. As I wasn't doing IH I wasn't fussed. It was my first trip to Phantom land, and suitably impressed. For team which has set its stall in the EPL, a lot could be learnt by some of our EIHL Teams.

Wondered round to the Block, found some seats, just in time as the music got cranked and the lights lowered. Then the Panthers complete with New Uniforms made there way… along the front of the away blocks. Quite an anti climax, but I will say it is the closest I have come to a panther in full uniform (as we were on the front row). It did give the girls (Lou-Lou and Emma) a chance to decide up close who was going to be on there shirts. Now this as other Panda's and Hockey "Males" will know that this choice is not made by viewing a players skill or ability but by his looks.

It was nice to see the familiar faces of Danny boy, (Cheeky git didn't tell me he had signed) Matty, and Mambo to name a few. James Neil had been brought down so a good chance for him to gel and cut it with the big boys. Out came the Phantoms, Notable inclusions were the Buckman, Yardley and Moore (the tank of a keeper we "Borrowed" last season when Wooly was injured.) Now for face off. With only 3 d-men it was obvious that Mopes was gonna go on D. As for the match.

Now I could go into grave detail but I can't for 2 main reasons.

A. I can't be bothered.

B. I can’t remember.

All I know is that we didn't play with set lines. There seemed to be set combinations for set situations. A few names seemed to jump out, The "Top" line so to speak of Mambo, Tessier and Welch. They scored nigh on all the points. And rightly so. We played with a man in front of the net (Mainly Mambo) when we had the puck with this line and all bar one man dropping back for D duties. Everyone showed great Grit and wanted to score points even down to the final buzzer. There were faces that were knackered, but rightly so. Another high point was the passing. We managed it. And for long periods in an attacking manor. Non of this I want to walk it in or wait for the perfect shot. It seems we now have the players who don't need the perfect shot to score.

I was highly impressed by the communication and passing abilities of Patterson. Pin point pass led to Dan's 2nd goal. Highly impressive.

Now for My favourite 2 points.

1. Blaz's Goal. Now we saw last season some great break away players, KK, Roman, Nemo. If Blaz's goal was anything to go by then God help the rest of the EIHL. He took a good break and stayed tight to the left hand boards. At the face off circle he cut inside, almost aiming skate into the far post. At about 2" out of the area he deaked, stopped, deaked again. By this point the net minder was flapping by his far post and Blaz was calmly stood by his near post, and just tapped it in.

2. the Penalty Kill Goal. Now I know we were playing the Phantoms. I know they are only EPL. BUT any team should have a shot on a PP (except us at points last season) The main reason is that you have more players. The team short will play defensive and dump the puck to change the lines giving you chance to at least bring it forward. Now for the best bit. 2mins and 20secs (approx) into he PK and we had only let them touch the puck on the face off. We didn't dump aimlessly. We played calm and compelling defensive hockey. We saw a chance, went for it, and scored a good team goal.

A few other points…. Dion looked like he wants to be accepted and them main way he seems to want to do this is by sticking up for the guys, and trying to score at any opportunity.
As I said a few names looked a little off the pace. Cardarelli. Or Joe C as he may become, looked quite with it despite stepping off a plane just hours before

Anyway speak to whoever, whenever, however. Life is good. So see you on Saturday.

Panthers are you listening?
To the song were singing?
Skating along,
Singing our song,
DRINKING WITH THE PANDAS AS WE GO!

Andrew Warren #17