Comeback not enough for Vipers
Dec 27 2008 The Journal
TOP goalscorer Todd Griffith struck twice to put the Vipers back into contention after the cause had looked lost at the first break – but it still wasn’t enough, writes PETER ADAMS.
It didn’t take long for the gloves to come off in this Boxing Day game, as Derek Campbell fought with Phoenix defenceman Nathan Ward with just over four minutes played.
Vipers’ defenceman Chris McAllister (pictured) and Brett Clouthier also got involved with the Phoenix enforcer being thrown out for being third man in.
Despite this, the resultant penalties meant that the Vipers had a powerplay to kill and they couldn’t manage it, Luke Fulghum scoring on five minutes.
Eight seconds later an unassisted goal by Lucas Burnett put the Vipers further behind with a strike that netminder Andrew Verner should have dealt with.
Just before the break, the destination of the points looked certain when the league’s top points scorer David Beauregard struck his 35th goal of the season for the Phoenix.
Trailing 3-0 and outshot 20-8 in the first period, the Vipers’ first powerplay opportunity of the match came five minutes after the resumption of play but they couldn’t beat netminder Stephen Murphy. The team had better luck after referee Matt Thompson next singled out a Phoenix player.
Eight minutes into the period the Vipers pulled a goal back. Benched last Sunday for not being direct enough for player coach Rob Wilson’s liking, Griffith showed what he could do, scoring his 15th goal of the season after taking a pass from McAllister.
With two minutes of the period remaining Phoenix defenceman Carl Graham was penalised for accidentally high sticking a Viper. On a four minute one skater advantage, the Vipers’ powerplay was ineffective until the hooter sounded but a minute into the final period, Griffith again powered the puck past Murphy.
The Vipers were given a late powerplay opportunity when Luke Boothroyd was penalised for tripping but they couldn’t repeat the trick and equalise.
This failure underlined the absence of winger Ed Courtenay who is enjoying two weeks’ leave in Canada.
Today, the Vipers will be hoping for a quick revenge when they entertain the Phoenix at the Metro Radio Arena. Play starts at 4pm.
SCORERS – Phoenix: Beauregard 1+1, Burnett and Fulghum 1+0, Dunn and Had 0+1. Vipers: Griffith 2+0, Hutchins, McAllister and Wilson 0+1.
