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After last week's perfect shut out, Coach Jobbers main concern was complacency throughout the team. Whether there could ever be enough to turn around the 12-0 victory was always doubtful but you never know with young kids.
As it turned out there really wasn't too much to be concerned about but the Phantoms certainly played a better game that made it harder for Storm but they still managed to score 7 and record yet another shutout though this time at least the netminders Alex and Andrew were asked a couple of questions.
Once again though the main bulk of the play was in the Phantoms zone and for the second week running the Phantoms netminder kept the scoreline down to reasonable figures and deservedly secured his second MOM on the bounce.
The Phantoms first line played a much better game this week pressing the puck which made it difficult for Lewis, Harry & Jake, Hallden & Jack to play a passing game. In fact for the whole of the first period they kept them all relatively quiet and the few shooting chances had to be hurried so wasn't clinical enough score past the aforementioned NM.
The second and third lines were were given more room though and it was down to them to score the first period goals. Andrew Pankhurst scoring a brace of unassisted goals before Luke Goody assisted by Henry grabbed the third.
Finally Sam Jackson drove through the heart of the defence and behind the net to then hook it back in front for John to slot home.
The second period saw Phantoms occasionally put Storm on the back foot as they managed to release the puck from the zone more than previously. When that happened on the first line shift though that gave the lads more opportunity to show what they could actually do and they returned two goals for their efforts. The first by Jake after good work by Harry on the boards, then Lewis and Hallden combined to score the sixth.
Finally the moment of the match as Sam Jackson went one better from his earlier assist as in a copycat move he collected the puck near the boards and drove forward. This time though rather than make the pass he moved the puck forward but managed to get his stick around it to wrap it into the near post to leave mum & dad £20 worse off after they foolishly offered the cash if he scored. For a stay-at-home D man it was an excellent goal to open his career account.
Overall this wasn't as good a performance as last week but really there wasn't much doubt who would grab the points at least the defence though did have to work harder which they will have benefitted from. Inexperienced players like Alex and Edward did very well on the third line whilst Ashley is proving a good prospect on the second. Up front Daniel is progressing well and although John and Andrew dominate the puck on his line he's getting better with every game. Henry was once again the workhorse on the third but the girls Beatrice & Caitlin both got in good positions and had chances to score. Luke though turned up his game today and provided some excellent support for Henry that gave the third line that extra edge and he deservedly picked up the MOM award.