Phoenix rise as Vipers let it slip away

Dec 27 2007 By Peter Adams, The Journal

TWO middle-period goals just over three minutes apart cost the Vipers dearly as they lost to the Phoenix for the second time this season.

With the game tied at 1-1, the Vipers had to kill a short passage of five on three powerplay during the second period and soon afterwards went behind for the first time in the game.

Passing between Jeff MacMillan and Luke Stauffacher led to Sean Starke beating netminder Ryan MacDonald on 34 minutes.

The gap grew wider on 38 minutes. Winger Andre Payette was serving a hooking penalty when the third – and as it turned out crucial – Phoenix score was netted by Brett Clouthier. Last season’s players’ player of the year, Shaun Johnson, was on target for the second time with seven minutes of the game remaining to put the Vipers in touching distance.

But almost immediately any momentum the team had dissipated when Johnson was penalised for interference.

The game then ended with the Phoenix forward Joe Tallari and Vipers’ defenceman Ben Storey both being given five-plus game penalties for slashing and tripping respectively. Johnson had given the Vipers the start they would have wished for. Set to retire at the season’s end, Johnson completed an all-British move to put the Vipers ahead in the fifth minute, his wingers Ben Campbell and David Longstaff jointly creating the chance.

A player who doesn’t score much, it was Johnson’s fourth goal in 35 games and his second in successive outings.

The lead Johnson gave the Vipers survived a powerplay but was rubbed out on 17 minutes when Simon Mangos shot successfully.

Embarrasingly for the Vipers, they had just started operating a powerplay when the puck flew passed netminder MacDonald.

Tonight the Vipers have the opportunity to immediately gain revenge for the defeat when they entertain the Phoenix in Newcastle at the Metro Radio Arena, the game being played in front of the Sky Television cameras. Face-off is 7.15pm.

TOP SCORERS

PHOENIX: Clouthier, Mangos and Starke 1+0, Tallari 0+2, Hand, MacMillan, Passmore and Stauffacher 0+1

VIPERS: Johnson 2+0, B. Campbell and Longstaff 0+1